About

Copper is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with a characteristic reddish-brown color, one of the few colored metals. Its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity makes it the international standard for electrical wiring and motors. It has been used by humans for millennia and is also essential in plumbing, roofing, and in alloys like brass and bronze. It also has natural antimicrobial properties.

Atomic Properties

Atomic Number29

Atomic Weight63.546 u

Neutrons (common)35

Electron Configuration[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹

Full Configuration1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s¹

Electrons per Shell2, 8, 18, 1

Electronegativity1.9

Electron Affinity118.473 kJ/mol

Oxidation States+1, +2

Covalent Radius117 pm

Van der Waals Radius140 pm

Ionic Radius77 pm

Periodic Table Position

Group11

Period4

BlockD

Chemical SeriesTransition metals

Physical Properties

State at STPsolid

Appearancereddish-orange metallic luster

Crystal Structurefcc

Magnetic Orderingdiamagnetic

Speed of Sound3,810 m/s

Poisson Ratio0.34

Thermal Properties

Melting Point1,357.77 K

Boiling Point2,835 K

Triple Point1,357.77 K

Thermal Expansion16.5 1/K

Thermal Conductivity401 W/(m·K)

Specific Heat0.385 J/(g·K)

Molar Heat24.44 J/(mol·K)

Heat of Fusion13.26 kJ/mol

Heat of Vaporization300.4 kJ/mol

Abundance

In Earth's Crust60 ppm

In Ocean0 ppm

In Solar System0.7 ppm

In Human Body1 ppm

In Universe0.5 ppm

Discovery

Discovered byAncient civilizations

Discovery YearKnown since antiquity

Occurrenceprimordial

CAS Number7440-50-8

Electron Configuration

Energy

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Isotopes of Copper

Symbol ▲	Mass (u) ▲	Abundance ▲	Half-life ▲	Decay Mode ▲
⁶¹Cu	60.933458	—	3.343 h	Positron Emission, Electron Capture
⁶³Cu	62.929600	69.17%	Stable	Stable
⁶⁴Cu	63.929764	—	12.7004 h	Beta Minus Decay, Positron Emission, Electron Capture
⁶⁵Cu	64.927790	30.83%	Stable	Stable
⁶⁷Cu	66.927730	—	61.83 h	Beta Minus Decay

Interactive Visualization

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

View 3D Model of Copper