Cu
Copper
Atomic number: 29Mass: 63.546 uCategory: Transition Metal
About Copper
Copper is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. It has a distinctive reddish-orange colour. Copper has been used by humans for over 10,000 years and was one of the first metals ever smelted.
Properties
Period
4
Group
11
Block
D
Category
Transition Metal
Electronegativity
1.90 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
745.5 kJ/mol
Melting Point
1358 K (1085°C)
Boiling Point
2835 K (2562°C)
Density
8.96 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+1, +2
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s¹
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:18e⁻
Shell 4:1e⁻
Real-World Uses
Electrical wiring
Plumbing
Coins
Electronics
Antimicrobial surfaces
Fun Fact
The Statue of Liberty is made of copper and has turned green because of oxidation — originally it was a shiny reddish-brown!