Compare Gold vs Platinum: Periodic Table Element Comparison Table and Properties
Compare the elements Gold and Platinum on the basis of their properties, attributes and periodic table facts. Compare elements - Gold and Platinum comparison table side by side across over 90 properties. All the elements of similar categories show a lot of similarities and differences in their chemical, atomic, physical properties and uses. These similarities and dissimilarities should be known while we study periodic table elements. You can study the detailed comparison between Gold vs Platinum with most reliable information about their properties, attributes, facts, uses etc. You can compare Au vs Pt on more than 90 properties like electronegativity, oxidation state, atomic shells, orbital structure, Electronaffinity, physical states, electrical conductivity and many more. This in-depth comparison helps students, educators, researchers, and science enthusiasts understand the differences and similarities between Gold and Platinum.
Gold and Platinum Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison between Gold (Au) and Platinum (Pt), focusing on their position in the periodic table, physical and chemical properties, stability, and uses.
Facts - Basic Element Details
| Name | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 79 | 78 |
| Atomic Symbol | Au | Pt |
| Atomic Weight | 196.96655 | 195.078 |
| Phase at STP | Solid | Solid |
| Color | Gold | Gray |
| Metallic Classification | Transition Metal | Transition Metal |
| Group in Periodic Table | group 11 | group 10 |
| Group Name | copper family | nickel family |
| Period in Periodic Table | period 6 | period 6 |
| Block in Periodic Table | d -block | d -block |
| Electronic Configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1 | [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1 |
| Electronic Shell Structure (Electrons per shell) | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 | 2, 8, 18, 32, 17, 1 |
| Melting Point | 1337.33 K | 2041.4 K |
| Boiling Point | 3129 K | 4098 K |
| CAS Number | CAS7440-57-5 | CAS7440-06-4 |
| Neighborhood Elements | Neighborhood Elements of Gold | Neighborhood Elements of Platinum |
History
| Parameter | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| History | The element Gold was discovered by Bulgaria in year Before 6000 BCE. Gold derived its name from English word (aurum in Latin). | The element Platinum was discovered by A. de Ulloa in year 1748 in Peru. Platinum derived its name from the Spanish platina, meaning 'little silver'. |
| Discovery | Bulgaria (Before 6000 BCE) | A. de Ulloa (1748) |
| Isolated | Varna Necropolis (ca. 4400 BCE) | () |
Presence: Abundance in Nature and Around Us
Parts per billion (ppb) by weight / by atoms (1ppb =10^-7 %)
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Abundance in Universe | 0.6 / 0.004 | 5 / 0.03 |
| Abundance in Sun | 1 / 0.01 | 9 / 0.06 |
| Abundance in Meteorites | 170 / 20 | 1000 / 100 |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 3.1 / 0.3 | 37 / 4 |
| Abundance in Oceans | 0.05 / 0.0016 | - / - |
| Abundance in Humans | 100 / 3 | - / - |
Crystal Structure and Atomic Structure
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic Volume | 10.21 cm3/mol | 9.09 cm3/mol |
| Atomic Radius | 174 pm | 177 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 144 pm | 128 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 166 pm | 175 pm |
Atomic Spectrum - Spectral Lines | ||
| Emission Spectrum |  |  |
| Absorption Spectrum |  |  |
| Lattice Constant | 407.82, 407.82, 407.82 pm | 392.42, 392.42, 392.42 pm |
| Lattice Angle | π/2, π/2, π/2 | π/2, π/2, π/2 |
| Space Group Name | Fm_ 3m | Fm_ 3m |
| Space Group Number | 225 | 225 |
| Crystal Structure | Face Centered Cubic  | Face Centered Cubic |
Atomic and Orbital Properties
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 79 | 78 |
| Number of Electrons (with no charge) | 79 | 78 |
| Number of Protons | 79 | 78 |
| Mass Number | 196.96655 | 195.078 |
| Number of Neutrons | 118 | 117 |
| Shell structure (Electrons per energy level) | 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 | 2, 8, 18, 32, 17, 1 |
| Electron Configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1 | [Xe] 4f14 5d9 6s1 |
| Valence Electrons | 5d10 6s1 | 5d9 6s1 |
| Oxidation State | 1, 3 | 2, 4 |
| Atomic Term Symbol (Quantum Numbers) | 2S1/2 | 3D3 |
| Shell structure |  |  |
Isotopes and Nuclear Properties
Gold has 1 stable naturally occuring isotopes while Platinum has 5 stable naturally occuring isotopes.
| Parameter | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Known Isotopes | 169Au, 170Au, 171Au, 172Au, 173Au, 174Au, 175Au, 176Au, 177Au, 178Au, 179Au, 180Au, 181Au, 182Au, 183Au, 184Au, 185Au, 186Au, 187Au, 188Au, 189Au, 190Au, 191Au, 192Au, 193Au, 194Au, 195Au, 196Au, 197Au, 198Au, 199Au, 200Au, 201Au, 202Au, 203Au, 204Au, 205Au | 166Pt, 167Pt, 168Pt, 169Pt, 170Pt, 171Pt, 172Pt, 173Pt, 174Pt, 175Pt, 176Pt, 177Pt, 178Pt, 179Pt, 180Pt, 181Pt, 182Pt, 183Pt, 184Pt, 185Pt, 186Pt, 187Pt, 188Pt, 189Pt, 190Pt, 191Pt, 192Pt, 193Pt, 194Pt, 195Pt, 196Pt, 197Pt, 198Pt, 199Pt, 200Pt, 201Pt, 202Pt |
| Stable Isotopes | Naturally occurring stable isotopes: 197Au | Naturally occurring stable isotopes: 192Pt, 194Pt, 195Pt, 196Pt, 198Pt |
| Neutron Cross Section | 98.7 | 10 |
| Neutron Mass Absorption | 0.017 | 0.002 |
Chemical Properties: Ionization Energies and electron affinity
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Valence or Valency | 5 | 6 |
| Electronegativity | 2.54 Pauling Scale | 2.28 Pauling Scale |
| Oxidation State | 1, 3 | 2, 4 |
| Electron Affinity | 222.8 kJ/mol | 205.3 kJ/mol |
| Ionization Energies | 1st: 890.1 kJ/mol 2nd: 1980 kJ/mol | 1st: 870 kJ/mol 2nd: 1791 kJ/mol |
Physical Properties
Gold (19.3 g/cm³) is less dense than Platinum (21.09 g/cm³). This means that a given volume of Platinum will be heavier than the same volume of Gold. Platinum is about 9.3 denser than Gold
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Phase at STP | Solid | Solid |
| Color | Gold | Gray |
| Density | 19.3 g/cm3 | 21.09 g/cm3 |
| Density (when liquid (at melting point)) | 17.31 g/cm3 | 19.77 g/cm3 |
| Molar Volume | 10.21 cm3/mol | 9.09 cm3/mol |
Mechanical and Hardness Properties
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
Elastic Properties | ||
| Young Modulus | 78 | 168 |
| Shear Modulus | 27 GPa | 61 GPa |
| Bulk Modulus | 220 GPa | 230 GPa |
| Poisson Ratio | 0.44 | 0.38 |
Hardness - Tests to Measure of Hardness of Element | ||
| Mohs Hardness | 2.5 MPa | 3.5 MPa |
| Vickers Hardness | 216 MPa | 549 MPa |
| Brinell Hardness | 2450 MPa | 392 MPa |
Thermal and Electrical Conductivity
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
Heat and Conduction Properties | ||
| Thermal Conductivity | 320 W/(m K) | 72 W/(m K) |
| Thermal Expansion | 0.0000142 /K | 0.0000088 /K |
Electrical Properties | ||
| Electrical Conductivity | 45000000 S/m | 9400000 S/m |
| Resistivity | 2.2e-8 m Ω | 1.1e-7 m Ω |
| Superconducting Point | - | - |
Magnetic and Optical Properties
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
Magnetic Properties | ||
| Magnetic Type | Diamagnetic | Paramagnetic |
| Curie Point | - | - |
| Mass Magnetic Susceptibility | -1.78e-9 m3/kg | 1.22e-8 m3/kg |
| Molar Magnetic Susceptibility | -3.51e-10 m3/mol | 2.38e-9 m3/mol |
| Volume Magnetic Susceptibility | -0.0000344 | 0.0002573 |
Optical Properties | ||
| Refractive Index | - | - |
Acoustic Properties | ||
| Speed of Sound | 1740 m/s | 2680 m/s |
Thermal Properties - Enthalpies and thermodynamics
| Property | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Melting Point | 1337.33 K | 2041.4 K |
| Boiling Point | 3129 K | 4098 K |
| Critical Temperature | - | - |
| Superconducting Point | - | - |
Enthalpies | ||
| Heat of Fusion | 12.5 kJ/mol | 20 kJ/mol |
| Heat of Vaporization | 330 kJ/mol | 490 kJ/mol |
| Heat of Combustion | - | - |
Regulatory and Health - Health and Safety Parameters and Guidelines
| Parameter | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| CAS Number | CAS7440-57-5 | CAS7440-06-4 |
| RTECS Number | RTECSMD5070000 | RTECSTP2160000 |
| DOT Hazard Class | - | 4.1 |
| DOT Numbers | - | 3089 |
| EU Number | - | - |
| NFPA Fire Rating | 0 | 2 |
| NFPA Health Rating | 2 | 1 |
| NFPA Reactivity Rating | 0 | 0 |
| NFPA Hazards | - | - |
| AutoIgnition Point | - | - |
| Flashpoint | - | - |
Compare Gold and Platinum With Other Elements
Compare Gold and Platinum with other elements of the periodic table. Explore howGold and Platinum stack up against other elements of the periodic table. Use our interactive comparison tool to analyze 90+ properties across different metals, non-metals, metalloids, and noble gases. Understanding these differences is crucial for applications in engineering, chemistry, electronics, biology, and material science.