29 Cu Copper 63.546 u

Copper

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Period
4
Group
11
Block
d-block
Phase (STP)
Solid

Copper has been used by humans for over 10,000 years. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, widely used in wiring.

Appearance: Red-orange metallic luster

About Copper

Copper has been worked by humans for more than ten thousand years, one of the first metals put to use. It is a transition metal of atomic number 29 and atomic mass 63.546, unmistakable for its red-orange metallic luster, with a density of 8.96 g/cm³ and a melting point of 1358 K. Its [Ar] 3d10 4s1 configuration gives an electronegativity of 1.90 and a first ionization energy of 746 kJ/mol. An excellent conductor of both electricity and heat, copper is used extensively in electrical wiring. Known since antiquity, it has no single discoverer and sits in group 11, period 4.

Physical Properties

Atomic Mass 63.546 u
Density 8.96 g/cm³
Melting Point 1084.6 °C
Boiling Point 2561.8 °C
Phase at STP Solid
Atomic Radius 145.0 pm

Electronic Properties

Electronegativity 1.9
Ionization Energy 745.5 eV
Electron Affinity 118.4 eV
Valence Electrons 11

Electron Configuration

Configuration [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹

Electron Shell Configuration

Copper electron shell configuration Cu 2e⁻ 8e⁻ 18e⁻ 1e⁻
Electron shell structure of Copper — electrons per shell.
Shell Electrons
1 (K) 2
2 (L) 8
3 (M) 18
4 (N) 1

Position in Periodic Table

Copper position in the periodic table Cu

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 Cu

Daniell Cell (Zinc-Copper Galvanic Cell)

Zn + Cu²⁺ → Zn²⁺ + Cu

Electrochemical

Zinc and Copper Sulfate Displacement

Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu

Redox

Zinc Displacing Copper from Copper Sulfate

Zn + CuSO₄ → ZnSO₄ + Cu

Single-Replacement

Copper Displaced by Iron

Fe + Cu²⁺ → Fe²⁺ + Cu

Redox

Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate

Cu + 2AgNO₃ → Cu(NO₃)₂ + 2Ag

Single-Replacement
View all 18 reactions →

Compounds Containing Copper

Copper(II) Chloride

CuCl₂

Copper(II) Nitrate

Cu(NO₃)₂

Copper(II) Oxide

CuO

Copper(II) Sulfate

CuSO₄

Copper(II) Sulfide

CuS

Copper(I) Oxide

Cu₂O

Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide

YBa₂Cu₃O₇

More Transition Metal

21 Sc Scandium 22 Ti Titanium 23 V Vanadium 24 Cr Chromium 25 Mn Manganese 26 Fe Iron 27 Co Cobalt 28 Ni Nickel 30 Zn Zinc 39 Y Yttrium

Explore on Science FYI

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Malachite

Green copper carbonate mineral
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Azurite

Blue copper carbonate mineral
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Chalcopyrite

Primary copper ore (CuFeS₂)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Copper?
Copper (Cu) is a chemical element with atomic number 29. It is a solid at standard temperature and pressure, classified as a transition metal.
What are the key properties of Copper?
Copper has an atomic mass of 63.546 u, density of 8.96 g/cm³, melting point of 1084.6°C, boiling point of 2561.8°C.
What is the electron configuration of Copper?
The electron configuration of Copper is [Ar] 3d10 4s1. It is in the d-block of the periodic table.
Who discovered Copper?
Copper was discovered by Ancient.
What is the electronegativity of Copper?
Copper has an electronegativity of 1.9 on the Pauling scale.