Why does Gold have the symbol Au?

The symbol Au comes from the Latin word "aurum," meaning gold. Latin was the scholarly language of Europe when elemental symbols were standardized, so many elements retain their Latin-derived symbols. The English word "gold" derives from Old English and Proto-Germanic roots.

Why is Gold so unreactive?

Gold's low reactivity stems from relativistic effects on its 6s electrons. These electrons experience strong relativistic contraction and stabilization, making them much harder to remove. As a result, gold resists attack by oxygen, moisture, and most acids under ordinary conditions.

What is aqua regia and why can it dissolve Gold?

Aqua regia is a mixture of concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a 1:3 ratio. The nitric acid oxidizes gold while the chloride ions form stable tetrachloroaurate complexes (AuCl₄⁻), stabilizing the dissolved gold ion and driving the reaction forward. Neither acid alone can dissolve gold.

What are Gold's main industrial applications?

Beyond jewelry (~50% of annual demand), gold is extensively used in electronics for corrosion-resistant connectors, bonding wire, and circuit board contacts. Other uses include dentistry, aerospace coatings, inflation-resistant financial reserves, medical implants, and gold nanoparticles in diagnostics and cancer therapy.

How many stable isotopes does Gold have?

Gold has only one naturally occurring stable isotope: Au-197. This makes gold a monoisotopic element. All other gold isotopes are radioactive, the most stable being Au-195 with a half-life of 186.1 days.

What oxidation states does Gold commonly exhibit?

Gold most commonly exhibits +1 (aurous, Au⁺) and +3 (auric, Au³⁺) oxidation states. The +3 state is particularly stable due to relativistic effects. Gold also forms unusual compounds in the −1 state (auride ion, Au⁻), which is possible because of its high electron affinity.

Gold Element Properties

Name: Gold Element Properties
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Author: Nham Vu

Look up every key property of Gold (Au, Z=79) — from atomic mass and electron configuration to melting point, electronegativity, and industrial uses.

Au 79

Gold (Aurum)

Atomic number 79 · Group 11 · Period 6 · Transition Metal

A dense, soft, lustrous yellow noble metal prized throughout human history — cornerstone of jewelry, electronics, and monetary reserves.

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Identity & Classification

Atomic Structure

Physical Properties

Thermodynamic Properties

Chemical Properties

Notable Isotopes

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Summary

Look up every key property of Gold (Au, Z=79) — from atomic mass and electron configuration to melting point, electronegativity, and industrial uses.

How it works

The page loads a complete, curated dataset of Gold properties.
Properties are grouped into thematic sections: identity, atomic structure, physical, thermodynamic, and chemical.
Use the search box to filter any property by name or value.
Click any value to copy it to the clipboard.
Notable isotopes are listed with abundance and half-life data.

Use cases

Quick reference during chemistry homework or exams.
Verify data for lab reports or research papers.
Compare Gold with neighboring coinage metals (Cu, Ag).
Study periodic trends — atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity.
Engineering calculations involving gold alloys, bonding wire, and plating.
Teaching periodic table concepts and noble metal chemistry.
Materials science for microelectronics, connectors, and thin-film coatings.
Research on gold nanoparticles for drug delivery and biosensing applications.

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Last updated: 2026-06-18 · Reviewed by Nham Vu