Which of the following is the correct electron configuration of gold? 

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.
• E.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atomic number of gold, which is 79. This means gold has 79 electrons in its neutral state.
2. Recall the order of filling of electron orbitals according to the Aufbau principle, which is based on increasing energy levels: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p.
3. Use the noble gas shorthand notation to simplify the electron configuration. The noble gas preceding gold is xenon (Xe), which has an atomic number of 54. This accounts for the first 54 electrons.
4. Continue filling the orbitals from xenon: 6s, 4f, and 5d. The 6s orbital is filled first with 2 electrons, then the 4f orbital is filled with 14 electrons, and finally, the 5d orbital is filled.
5. Recognize that gold has a unique electron configuration due to relativistic effects and electron-electron interactions, resulting in a filled 5d orbital and a single electron in the 6s orbital, leading to the configuration: [Xe] 4f^14 5d^10 6s^1.