Cu

    Copper

    Transition Metal

    Atomic Number: 29 • Atomic Mass: 63.5460 u • Period: 4 • Group: 11

    Electron Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d¹⁰
    Phase: Solid
    Electronegativity: 1.9

    Physical & Chemical Properties

    Physical Properties

    • Distinctive reddish-orange metallic luster
    • Excellent conductor of heat and electricity (second only to silver)
    • Very ductile and malleable
    • Moderate melting point (1357.77 K or 1084.62°C)
    • Resistant to corrosion but forms green patina over time
    Melting Point

    1357.77 K (1084.62 °C, 1984.32 °F)

    Boiling Point

    2835 K (2561.85 °C, 4643.33 °F)

    Density

    8.96 g/cm³

    Electronegativity

    1.9 (Pauling scale)

    Chemical Properties

    • Most common oxidation states are +1 and +2
    • Forms many compounds and complexes, often blue or green
    • Reacts with oxygen to form copper(I) oxide or copper(II) oxide
    • Does not react with water, but slowly reacts with atmospheric oxygen
    • Acts as a catalyst in many chemical reactions

    Electron Configuration

    1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d¹⁰

    Electron configuration describes how electrons are distributed in atomic orbitals, showing how they are arranged in energy levels and subshells.