Cu
Copper
Transition MetalAtomic 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.