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Why is gold a good conductor of electricity?

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A diagram showing the periodic table entry for gold, with the symbol Au, atomic number 79, atomic weight 196.96657, electron configuration, and labels for its properties as a solid transition metal with a face-centered cubic crystal structure. — gold The precious metal gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au. Its square on the periodic table details some of its properties, including its atomic weight, atomic number, and crystal structure.

Gold is a good conductor of electricity because of the ease with which its electrons can move past its atoms when subjected to an electric field.1

In metallic solids, electrical conductivity is facilitated by free electrons—often identified as the outermost or valence electrons—that are able to move independently throughout the crystal structure. In the case of gold, this movement is particularly efficient, allowing it to serve as an effective conductor.21

The conductivity of a metal is influenced by factors that scatter or deflect these moving electrons, such as impurity atoms, grain boundaries, or the thermal vibrations of atoms. Because gold is highly inert and does not easily tarnish or corrode, it maintains a high level of structural integrity, which supports its reliable performance in electrical and electronics applications, such as plating contacts and terminals.13