Copper (Cu)

Copper properties

Atomic number

29

Atomic mass

63.546 u

Category

Transition metal

Group

11

Period

4

Block

d-block

State at room temp.

Solid

Electronegativity

1.9

Melting point

1,357.77 K (1,084.6 °C)

Boiling point

2,835 K (2,561.8 °C)

Density

8.96 g/cm³

Valence electrons

1

Common charges

+1, +2

Oxidation states

+2, +1

Atomic radius

140 pm

Ionization energy

7.726 eV

Electron affinity

1.228 eV

Radioactive

No, has stable isotopes

Discovered

Ancient

Copper electron configuration

The electron configuration of Copper (Cu) is [Ar] 3d10 4s1. Its 29 electrons are arranged in shells as 2, 8, 18, 1.

Protons, neutrons and electrons in Copper

A neutral Copper atom has 29 protons and 29 electrons. Most Copper atoms have about 35 neutrons: the atomic mass rounded to 64, minus the atomic number 29.

Neutrons are approximate: atoms of the same element can have different numbers of neutrons (isotopes). Atomic number and mass

How many valence electrons does Copper have?

1

Copper has 1 valence electron, counting the electrons in its outermost s subshell. Like most transition metals, it can also use d electrons in bonding.

See every element: Periodic table with valence electrons

Copper orbital diagram

Each box is an orbital that holds up to two electrons with opposite spins (↑↓). The inner shells are the same as the noble gas in brackets. How to write electron configurations

Molar mass of Copper

63.546 g/mol

One mole of Copper atoms (6.022 × 10²³ atoms) has a mass of 63.546 grams. Use this value to convert between grams and moles.

Compounds containing Copper

Copper facts

• The symbol Cu comes from the Latin cuprum, after the island of Cyprus, a major source of copper in the ancient world.
• The Statue of Liberty's green color comes from a patina that formed as its thin copper skin weathered.
• Copper (Cu) has atomic number 29 and is a solid at room temperature. It has been known since ancient times.

Position in the periodic table

Copper is element 29, in period 4 and group 11 of the periodic table, in the d-block.

All transition metals

Uses of Copper

Copper's excellent electrical conductivity makes it the standard metal for electrical wiring, power cables, motors and transformers. It is also used for plumbing pipes and heat exchangers, and it is the main metal in brass and bronze. Because copper surfaces kill many microbes, copper alloys are sometimes used for door handles and other frequently touched surfaces in hospitals.

Who discovered Copper?

Copper has been known since ancient times and was one of the first metals people used, because it occurs in nature as nuggets of pure metal. Copper objects about 10,000 years old have been found in the Middle East.

Where does the name come from?

Copper comes from the Late Latin cuprum, from the Latin aes Cyprium, 'metal of Cyprus', the Mediterranean island famous for its copper mines in ancient times. The symbol Cu comes from cuprum.

Discovery timeline