Valence Electrons in Gold (Au)
Calculate the number of valence electrons in Gold using its electron configuration step by step.
Valence Electrons in Gold
Determine the number of valence electrons in Gold (Au, Element 79)
Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Gold
The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Gold is:
[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1
Calculate Electronic Configuration for Gold
Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration
Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [Xe] core are the outermost electrons:
4f14 5d10 6s1
Step 3: Use the principle quantum number to identify the valence electrons
Extract the principle quantum number, n, and number of electrons from the electron configuration:
| Electron Configuration | n | Orbital | Number of Electrons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4f14 | 4 | f | 14 |
| 5d10 | 5 | d | 10 |
| 6s1 | 6 | s | 1 |
The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 6) are valence electrons.
Answer
Gold (Au) has 1 valence electron(s).
