Copper
TRANSITION METAL
Bohr Model: Electrons arranged in energy shells around the nucleus.
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.
Quick Facts
Atomic Number 29
Period 4
Group 11
Phase Solid
Appearance red-orange metallic luster
About Transition Metals
Transition metals are elements with partially filled d-orbitals. They are hard, have high melting points, and often form colored compounds.
History
Discovered By Middle East
Named By Unknown
Physical Properties
Atomic Mass 63.5463
Density 8.96 g/L
Molar Heat 24.44 J/(mol·K)
Phase Transition (Melting & Boiling Points)
Copper melts at 1357.77 K and boils at 2835 K.
Atomic Properties
Electron Config [Ar] 3d10 4s1
Electronegativity 1.9
Electron Affinity 119.235 kJ/mol
Ionization Energy 745.5 kJ/mol
Orbital Filling Diagram
This diagram visualizes electron configuration according to the Aufbau principle and Hund's rule.
Boxes represent orbitals (s, p, d, f), while arrows indicate electrons with spin up or down.
Electrons fill lower energy levels first and occupy orbitals singly before pairing.
Photograph
External Resources
Study Guide
Atomic Number
The number of protons in the nucleus, which defines the element.
Atomic Mass
The average mass of an atom, including protons and neutrons.
Electronegativity
A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.
Ionization Energy
The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.
Electron Config
The arrangement of electrons in the atom's energy shells.