About

Copernicium is a synthetic element named after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. It is a super-heavy element that is extremely volatile for its mass. Early experiments suggest it has properties similar to mercury and may even be a gas at room temperature, which would make it the first gaseous metal. Its most stable isotope has a half-life of about 30 seconds.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number112

Atomic Weight285.177 u

Neutrons (common)173

Electron Configuration[Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s²

Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p⁶ 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s²

Electrons per Shell2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 2

Oxidation States+2

Covalent Radius122 pm

Periodic Table Position

Group12

Period7

BlockD

Chemical SeriesTransition metals

Physical Properties

State at STPsolid

Crystal Structurehcp

Magnetic Orderingdiamagnetic

Thermal Properties

Melting Point283 K

Boiling Point340 K

Heat of Fusion15 kJ/mol

Heat of Vaporization38 kJ/mol

Discovery

Discovered byGesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung

Discovery Year1,996

Occurrencesynthetic

CAS Number54084-26-3

Electron Configuration

Energy

↿⇂

1s

↿⇂

2s

↿⇂

2p

↿⇂

3s

↿⇂

3p

↿⇂

4s

↿⇂

3d

↿⇂

4p

↿⇂

5s

↿⇂

4d

↿⇂

5p

↿⇂

6s

↿⇂

4f

↿⇂

5d

↿⇂

6p

↿⇂

7s

↿⇂

5f

↿⇂

6d

7p

Isotopes of Copernicium

Symbol ▲	Mass (u) ▲	Abundance ▲	Half-life ▲	Decay Mode ▲
²⁸⁵Cn	285.177120	—	30 s	Alpha Decay