About

Carbon is the chemical basis for all known life, capable of forming a vast number of complex and stable compounds, more than any other element. Its most famous allotropes are diamond, the hardest natural substance, and graphite, a soft material used in pencils and lubricants. Newer forms like graphene and carbon nanotubes hold promise for future technologies in electronics and materials science.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number6

Atomic Weight12.011 u

Neutrons (common)6

Electron Configuration[He] 2s² 2p²

Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p²

Electrons per Shell2, 4

Electronegativity2.55

Electron Affinity121.8 kJ/mol

Oxidation States+4, +3, +2, +1, 0, -1, -2, -3, -4

Covalent Radius76 pm

Van der Waals Radius170 pm

Periodic Table Position

Group14

Period2

BlockP

Chemical SeriesOther nonmetals

Physical Properties

State at STPsolid

AppearanceBlack (graphite), transparent (diamond)

Crystal Structurehexagonal

Magnetic Orderingdiamagnetic

Speed of Sound18,350 m/s

Poisson Ratio0.1

Thermal Properties

Sublimation Point3,915 K

Triple Point4,600 K

Thermal Conductivity140 W/(m·K)

Specific Heat0.709 J/(g·K)

Molar Heat8.517 J/(mol·K)

Heat of Fusion117 kJ/mol

Heat of Vaporization715 kJ/mol

Abundance

In Earth's Crust200 ppm

In Ocean28 ppm

In Solar System4,600 ppm

In Human Body185,000 ppm

In Universe5,000 ppm

Discovery

Discovered byKnown since antiquity

Discovery YearAncient

Occurrenceprimordial

CAS Number7440-44-0

Electron Configuration

Energy

↿⇂

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Isotopes of Carbon

Symbol ▲	Mass (u) ▲	Abundance ▲	Half-life ▲	Decay Mode ▲
¹¹C	11.011433	—	20.3402 m	Positron Emission
¹²C	12.000000	98.93%	Stable	Stable
¹³C	13.003355	1.07%	Stable	Stable
¹⁴C	14.003241	Trace	5700 y	Beta Minus Decay

Interactive Visualization

Explore the 3D Bohr model of Carbon in our interactive viewer.

View 3D Model of Carbon