Copper (Cu) – element 29
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a transition metal in group 11, period 4 of the periodic table (d-block), and is a solid at room temperature.
Copper (Cu) has atomic number 29, atomic mass 63.546 u and electron configuration [Ar] 3d10 4s1.
Copper facts
| Symbol | Cu |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 29 |
| Atomic mass | 63.546 u (g/mol) |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | group 11 |
| Period | 4 |
| Block | d-block |
| Phase at 20 °C | Solid |
| Electron configuration | 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10 |
| Noble-gas notation | [Ar] 3d10 4s1 |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 1 |
Bohr model and shells
Copper has 29 electrons in 4 shells: 2, 8, 18, 1. Full configuration and noble-gas notation are in the table; work out any element or ion with the electron configuration calculator.
Physical and atomic properties
| Melting point | 1357.77 K (1084.6 °C) |
|---|---|
| Boiling point | 2835 K (2561.8 °C) |
| Density | 8.96 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.9 |
| Electron affinity | 119.235 kJ/mol |
| Ionization energies | 745.5, 1957.9, 3555 kJ/mol (1st, 2nd, 3rd) |
| Molar heat capacity | 24.44 J/(mol·K) |
| Discovered by | Middle East |
Use the atomic mass in the molar mass calculator for any formula containing Cu.
Position in the periodic table
Tap any element to open its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic mass of copper?
The atomic mass of copper is 63.546 u, so one mole of copper atoms weighs 63.546 g.
What is the electron configuration of copper?
Copper has 29 electrons: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d¹⁰, or [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹ in noble-gas notation. Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 1.
Is copper a metal?
Yes. Copper is a transition metal.
Where is copper on the periodic table?
Copper is in group 11, period 4, in the d-block.
Data: Periodic-Table-JSON (CC BY-SA 3.0); standard atomic weights from IUPAC (abridged). Values in brackets are the mass number of the longest-lived isotope.