Platinum vs Gold

Side-by-side comparison of Platinum (Pt, element 78) and Gold (Au, element 79) by atomic structure and physical properties.

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PropertyPt Platinum Au Gold
Atomic number7879
SymbolPtAu
NamePlatinumGold
Categorytransition-metaltransition-metal
Standard Atomic Weight195.084 u196.966569 u
Period66
Group1011
Blockdd
Phase at STPSolidSolid
Electron configuration[Xe]4f145d96s1[Xe]4f145d106s1
Oxidation states[-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6][-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5]
Electronegativity (Pauling)2.282.54
Electron affinity2.1228 eV2.3086 eV
Density2.146e+4 kg/m³1.9282e+4 kg/m³
Melting point1768.4 °C1064.18 °C
Boiling point3824.85 °C2855.85 °C
Discovery year1735N/A

Key Differences

PropertyPt PlatinumAu Gold
Standard Atomic Weight195.084 u ↓ lower196.966569 u ↑ higher
Density2.146e+4 kg/m³ ↑ higher1.9282e+4 kg/m³ ↓ lower
Melting point1768.4 °C ↑ higher1064.18 °C ↓ lower
Boiling point3824.85 °C ↑ higher2855.85 °C ↓ lower
Electronegativity (Pauling)2.28 ↓ lower2.54 ↑ higher
Electron affinity2.1228 eV ↓ lower2.3086 eV ↑ higher
Group10 11
Electron configuration[Xe]4f145d96s1 [Xe]4f145d106s1