6 C Carbon 12.011 u

Carbon

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Period
2
Group
14
Block
p-block
Phase (STP)
Solid

Carbon is the basis of all known life and forms more compounds than any other element. It exists as diamond, graphite, fullerenes, and graphene.

Appearance: Black (graphite), clear (diamond)

About Carbon

Carbon forms more compounds than any other element and provides the structural basis of all known life, a versatility rooted in its four valence electrons ([He] 2s2 2p2) and moderate electronegativity of 2.55. It is a nonmetal of atomic number 6 and atomic mass 12.011 that occurs in strikingly different allotropes, among them black graphite, transparent diamond, fullerenes, and graphene. Its covalent networks give it a very high melting point near 3823 K. Carbon has been known since antiquity and has no single discoverer. Its capacity to bond extensively to itself makes it the central element of organic chemistry. Carbon sits in group 14, period 2, with a first ionization energy of 1086.5 kJ/mol.

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 12.011 u
Density 2.267 g/cm³
Melting Point 3549.8 °C
Boiling Point 3824.8 °C
Phase at STP Solid
Atomic Radius 77.0 pm

Electronic Properties

Electronegativity 2.55
Ionization Energy 1086.5 eV
Electron Affinity 121.8 eV
Valence Electrons 4

Electron Configuration

Configuration [He] 2s² 2p²

Electron Shell Configuration

Carbon electron shell configuration C 2e⁻ 4e⁻
Electron shell structure of Carbon — electrons per shell.
Shell Electrons
1 (K) 2
2 (L) 4

Position in Periodic Table

Carbon position in the periodic table C

Discovery

Discovered by: Ancient

Block & Period

Block

s p d f

Period

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Periodic Table

Lanthanides Actinides

Reactions Involving C

Beta Decay of Carbon-14

¹⁴C → ¹⁴N + e⁻ + ν̄ₑ

Nuclear

Carbonic Acid Dissociation (Blood Buffer)

H₂CO₃ ⇌ HCO₃⁻ + H⁺

Acid-Base

Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace

2Fe₂O₃ + 3C → 4Fe + 3CO₂

Single-Replacement

Combustion of Acetylene

2C₂H₂ + 5O₂ → 4CO₂ + 2H₂O

Combustion

Combustion of Glucose (Cellular Respiration)

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O

Combustion
View all 110 reactions →

Compounds Containing Carbon

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Acid

CH₃COOH

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Acetylene

C₂H₂

More Nonmetal

1 H Hydrogen 7 N Nitrogen 8 O Oxygen 15 P Phosphorus 16 S Sulfur 34 Se Selenium

Explore on Science FYI

GemFYI
Diamond

Pure carbon in cubic crystal structure
MineralFYI
Diamond

Hardest known natural mineral (Mohs 10)
MineralFYI
Graphite

Carbon allotrope with layered structure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carbon?
Carbon (C) is a chemical element with atomic number 6. It is a solid at standard temperature and pressure, classified as a nonmetal.
What are the key properties of Carbon?
Carbon has an atomic mass of 12.011 u, density of 2.267 g/cm³, melting point of 3549.8°C, boiling point of 3824.8°C.
What is the electron configuration of Carbon?
The electron configuration of Carbon is [He] 2s2 2p2. It is in the p-block of the periodic table.
Who discovered Carbon?
Carbon was discovered by Ancient.
What is the electronegativity of Carbon?
Carbon has an electronegativity of 2.55 on the Pauling scale.