29CuCopper63.5463[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹
transition metal
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu (from Latin:cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a reddish-orange color.
A stylized shell model. Electrons are quantum objects, not particles following these literal paths. Sizes and motion are illustrative.
Electrons by shell
Electron configuration
3d10
4s1
18 is the [Ar] core total across three shells.
At a glance
- Atomic number
- 29
- Atomic mass
- 63.5463 u
- Phase
- Solid
- Density
- 8.96 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1,357.77 K
- Boiling point
- 2,835 K
- First ionization energy
- 745.5 kJ/mol
- Electronegativity
- 1.9
- Electron affinity
- 119.235 kJ/mol
- Molar heat capacity
- 24.44 J/(mol·K)
- Period
- 4
- Appearance
- red-orange metallic luster
Conditions and isotopes affect measured properties. Some properties of short-lived elements are predicted. Electronegativity uses the Pauling scale.
Keep exploring
Explore the stories, imagery, and reference data in more depth. Properties with no value in the reference are marked unavailable.