Which chemical element has atomic number 79?

Gold is the chemical element with atomic number 79.

An atom of gold contains 79 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Au, derived from the Latin word aurum. Gold is a dense, yellow, highly malleable metal that resists corrosion because it reacts relatively little with air and water.

Gold’s chemical resistance and rarity helped make it valuable for ornaments, coins, and later electronics. Pure gold is soft, so jewelry is commonly made from alloys measured in karats. For example, 24-karat gold is approximately pure gold, while lower-karat gold contains other metals.

Gold is not the same as “gold-colored” metal alloys. Copper and zinc can be mixed to create brass, and other alloys may resemble gold visually, but they do not have atomic number 79 or the chemical properties of elemental gold.