← Back to Periodic Table
Cu 29

Copper (Cu)

transition-metal
Period: 4 Group: 11 Block: s

Solid

Standard Atomic Weight

63.546 u

Electron configuration

[Ar] 4s1 3d10

Melting point

1084.62 °C (1357.77 K)

Boiling point

2561.85 °C (2835 K)

Density

8933 kg/m³

Oxidation states

−2, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4

Electronegativity (Pauling)

1.9

Ionization energy (1st)

Discovery year

N/A

Atomic radius

135 pm

Details

Name origin Symbol from Latin: cuprum (island of Cyprus famed for its copper mines).
Discoverers Known to the ancients.

Copper is a transition metal with high electrical and thermal conductivity, good ductility, and a chemistry dominated by the +1 and +2 oxidation states. It is one of the few metals found naturally in native form and has been worked since prehistory. Modern importance rests on electrical conductors, plumbing, heat exchangers, alloys, and catalytic or biological redox chemistry. Its surfaces oxidize slowly in air, often developing protective films rather than deep rusting.

Copper is reddish and takes on a bright metallic luster. It is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity (second only to silver in electrical conductivity).

The name derives from the Latin cuprum for Cyprus, the island where the Romans first obtained copper. The symbol Cu also comes from the Latin cuprum. The element has been known since prehistoric times.

Archaeological evidence suggests that people have been using copper for at least 11,000 years. Relatively easy to mine and refine, people discovered methods for extracting copper from its ores at least 7,000 years ago. The Roman Empire obtained most of its copper from the island of Cyprus, which is where copper's name originated. Today, copper is primarily obtained from the ores cuprite (CuO2), tenorite (CuO), malachite (CuO3·Cu(OH)2), chalcocite (Cu2S), covellite (CuS) and bornite (Cu6FeS4). Large deposits of copper ore are located in the United States, Chile, Zambia, Zaire, Peru and Canada.

From the Latin word cuprum, from the island of Cyprus. It is believed that copper has been mined for 5,000 years.

Read about Copper on Wikipedia

Images

Properties

Physical

Atomic radius (empirical) 135 pm
Covalent radius 132 pm
Van der Waals radius 140 pm
Metallic radius 118 pm
Density
Molar volume 0.0071 L/mol
Phase at STP solid
Melting point 1084.62 °C
Boiling point 2561.85 °C
Thermal conductivity 401 W/(m·K)
Specific heat capacity 0.385 J/(g·K)
Molar heat capacity 24.44 J/(mol·K)
Crystal structure fcc

Chemical

Electronegativity (Pauling) 1.9
Electronegativity (Allen) 1.85
Electron affinity
Ionization energy (1st)
Ionization energy (2nd)
Ionization energy (3rd)
Ionization energy (4th)
Ionization energy (5th)
Oxidation states −2, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4
Valence electrons 11
Electron configuration
Electron configuration (semantic)

Thermodynamic

Heat of fusion 0.13743069 eV
Heat of vaporization 3.113437 eV
Heat of sublimation 3.496917 eV
Heat of atomization 3.496917 eV
Atomization enthalpy

Nuclear

Stable isotopes 2

Abundance

Abundance (Earth's crust) 60 mg/kg
Abundance (ocean)

Reactivity

N/A

Crystal Structure

Lattice constant a 361 pm

Electronic Structure

Electrons per shell 2, 8, 18, 1

Identifiers

CAS number 7440-50-8
Term symbol
InChI InChI=1S/Cu
InChI Key RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Electron Configuration Measured

Ion charge
Protons 29
Electrons 29
Charge Neutral
Configuration Cu: 3d¹⁰ 4s¹
Electron configuration
Measured
[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s¹
Orbital diagram
1s
2/2
2s
2/2
2p
6/6
3s
2/2
3p
6/6
4s
1/2 1↑
3d
10/10
Total electrons: 29 Unpaired: 1 ?

Atomic model

Protons 29
Neutrons 34
Electrons 29
Mass number 63
Stability Stable

Isotopes change neutron count, mass, and stability — not the electron configuration of a neutral atom.

Schematic atomic model, not to scale.

Atomic Fingerprint

Emission / Absorption Spectrum

25 / 50 (50 with intensity)
Measured
Emission Visible: 380–750 nm
Source: NIST Atomic Spectra Database Wavelengths in air

Isotope Distribution

6369.1500%6530.8500%Mass numberNatural abundance (%)
Mass numberAtomic mass (u)Natural abundanceHalf-life
63 Stable62.92959772 ± 0.0000005669.1500%Stable
65 Stable64.9277897 ± 0.0000007130.8500%Stable
Measured

Phase / State

1 atm / 101.325 kPa
Solid 25 °C (298.15 K)

Reason: 1059.6 °C below melting point (1084.62 °C)

Melting point 1084.62 °C
Boiling point 2561.85 °C
Below melting by 1059.6 °C
0 K Current temperature: 25 °C 6000 K
Phase timeline

Schematic, not to scale

Solid
Liquid
Gas
Melting
Boiling
25°C
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Current

Phase transition points

Melting point Literature
1084.62 °C
Boiling point Literature
2561.85 °C
Current phase Calculated
Solid

Transition energies

Heat of fusion Literature
0.13743069 eV

Energy required to melt 1 mol at melting point

Heat of vaporization Literature
3.113437 eV

Energy required to vaporize 1 mol at boiling point

Heat of sublimation Literature
3.496917 eV

Energy required to sublime 1 mol at sublimation point

Density

Reference density Literature
8933 kg/m³

At standard conditions

Current density Calculated
8933 kg/m³

At standard conditions

Atomic Spectra

Showing 10 of 29 Atomic Spectra. Sorted by ion charge (ascending).

Lines Holdings ?

IonChargeTotal linesTransition probabilitiesLevel designations
Cu I 01003371003
Cu II +125575542557
Cu III +210000
Cu IV +36000
Cu V +45000
Cu X +928028
NIST Lines Holdings →

Levels Holdings ?

IonChargeLevels
Cu I 0365
Cu II +1468
Cu III +2390
Cu IV +3298
Cu V +4249
Cu VI +5255
Cu VII +65
Cu VIII +72
Cu IX +82
Cu X +931
NIST Levels Holdings →
29 Cu 63.546

Copper — Atomic Orbital Visualizer

[Ar]4s13d10
Energy levels 2 8 18 1
Oxidation states -2, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4
HOMO 4s n=4 · l=0 · m=0
Copper — Atomic Orbital Visualizer Preview
Three.js loads only on request
29 Cu 63.546

Copper — Crystal Structure Visualizer

Face-Centered Cubic · Pearson cF4
Experimental
Pearson cF4
Coord. № 12
Packing 74.000%
Copper — Crystal Structure Visualizer Preview
Three.js loads only on request

Ionic Radii

ChargeCoordinationSpinRadius
+12N/A46 pm
+14N/A60 pm
+16N/A77 pm
+24N/A56.99999999999999 pm
+24N/A56.99999999999999 pm
+25N/A65 pm
+26N/A73 pm
+36low54 pm

Compounds

Cu
63.550 u
Cu+2
63.550 u
Cu+
63.550 u
Cu
62.930 u
Cu
63.930 u
Cu
59.937 u
Cu
66.928 u
Cu
60.933 u
Cu
61.933 u
Cu
65.929 u
Cu
64.928 u
Cu+2
63.930 u
Cu+2
66.928 u
Cu
67.930 u

Isotopes (2)

Mass numberAtomic mass (u)Natural abundanceHalf-lifeDecay mode
63 Stable62.92959772 ± 0.0000005669.1500% ± 0.1500%Stable
stable
65 Stable64.9277897 ± 0.0000007130.8500% ± 0.1500%Stable
stable
63 Stable
Atomic mass (u) 62.92959772 ± 0.00000056
Natural abundance 69.1500% ± 0.1500%
Half-life Stable
Decay mode
stable
65 Stable
Atomic mass (u) 64.9277897 ± 0.00000071
Natural abundance 30.8500% ± 0.1500%
Half-life Stable
Decay mode
stable

Spectral Lines

Showing 50 of 1058 Spectral Lines. Only spectral lines with measured intensity are shown by default.

Wavelength (nm)IntensityIon stageTypeTransitionAccuracySource
490.973351 nm160000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[9/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[11/2]*MeasuredNIST
493.16981 nm140000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[9/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[11/2]*MeasuredNIST
505.179209 nm120000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
495.37246 nm82000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
498.550498 nm70000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
506.545861 nm70000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
508.827603 nm57000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
740.43532 nm55000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).6s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
491.83778 nm54000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
505.890923 nm48000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
627.334763 nm47000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[7/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2]MeasuredNIST
500.679978 nm46000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
506.709423 nm46000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
509.381536 nm41000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
621.69385 nm39000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[7/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2]MeasuredNIST
600.01168 nm38000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2]MeasuredNIST
501.26199 nm37000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
468.19935 nm36000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]*MeasuredNIST
481.29474 nm36000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
500.985058 nm35000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
485.498743 nm34000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[9/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]*MeasuredNIST
502.127849 nm32000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
507.230253 nm32000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
594.11951 nm31000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
512.44753 nm30000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d8.(3F).4s.4p.(1P*) 3G*MeasuredNIST
467.170176 nm29000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
491.291987 nm29000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
520.7134 nm29000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d8.(1G).4s.4p.(3P*) 3H*MeasuredNIST
493.155505 nm28000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
404.34858 nm27000Cu IIemission3d9.4p 1F* → 3d8.4s2 1GMeasuredNIST
504.73477 nm27000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]*MeasuredNIST
630.10137 nm27000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).5d 2[7/2]MeasuredNIST
490.142634 nm26000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
492.64232 nm26000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
493.722031 nm26000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
508.84896 nm25000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
615.42211 nm25000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[1/2]MeasuredNIST
621.98488 nm24000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).5d 2[7/2]MeasuredNIST
526.99904 nm23000Cu IIemission3d9.4p 3P* → 3d8.4s2 1DMeasuredNIST
589.79758 nm23000Cu IIemission3d8.(3F).4s.4p.(3P*) 3G* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).6s 2[5/2]MeasuredNIST
490.656612 nm21000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
508.397879 nm21000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
467.35774 nm20000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]*MeasuredNIST
494.3025 nm20000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]*MeasuredNIST
512.075319 nm20000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]*MeasuredNIST
644.85593 nm20000Cu IIemission3d9.4p 3D* → 3d8.4s2 3PMeasuredNIST
508.89421 nm19000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]*MeasuredNIST
518.33664 nm19000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]*MeasuredNIST
524.53423 nm19000Cu IIemission3d8.(3F).4s.4p.(3P*) 3F* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2]MeasuredNIST
626.18464 nm19000Cu IIemission3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[7/2]MeasuredNIST

Extended Properties

Covalent Radii (Extended)

Covalent radius (Pyykkö)  
Covalent radius (Pyykkö, double)  
Covalent radius (Pyykkö, triple)  
Covalent radius (Bragg)  

Van der Waals Radii

Batsanov  
Alvarez  
UFF  
MM3  

Atomic & Metallic Radii

Atomic radius (Rahm)  
Metallic radius (C12)  

Numbering Scales

Mendeleev
Pettifor
Glawe

Electronegativity Scales

Ghosh
Miedema
Robles–Bartolotti

Polarizability & Dispersion

Dipole polarizability  
Dipole polarizability (unc.)  
C₆  
C₆ (Gould–Bučko)  

Chemical Affinity

Proton affinity  
Gas basicity  

Miedema Parameters

Miedema molar volume  
Miedema electron density

Supply Risk & Economics

Production concentration
Relative supply risk
Reserve distribution
Political stability (top producer)
Political stability (top reserve)

Phase Transitions & Allotropes

Melting point1357.77 K
Boiling point2833.15 K

Oxidation State Categories

+4 extended
+3 extended
−2 extended
+1 extended
0 extended
+2 main

Advanced Reference Data

Screening Constants (7)
nOrbitalσ
1s0.6614
2p3.903
2s7.9802
3d15.7994
3p14.2694
3s13.4057
4s23.1576
Crystal Radii Detail (8)
ChargeCNSpinrcrystal (pm)Origin
1II60
1IV74estimated,
1VI91estimated,
2IV71
2IVSQ71
2V79
2VI87
3VILS60
Isotope Decay Modes (52)
IsotopeModeIntensity
52p—
53p—
54p—
55B+100%
55B+p—
56B+100%
56B+p0.4%
57B+100%
58B+100%
59B+100%
X‑ray Scattering Factors (504)
Energy (eV)f₁f₂
10—1.30088
10.1617—1.33374
10.3261—1.36743
10.4931—1.40197
10.6628—1.43738
10.8353—1.47369
11.0106—1.51091
11.1886—1.54908
11.3696—1.58821
11.5535—1.62833

Additional Data

Sources

Sources of this element.

Copper occasionally occurs natively, and is found in many minerals such as cuprite, malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite, and bornite.

Large copper ore deposits are found in the U.S., Chile, Zambia, Zaire, Peru, and Canada. The most important copper ores are the sulfides, the oxides, and carbonates. From these, copper is obtained by smelting, leaching, and by electrolysis.

References (1)

Isotopes in Forensic Science and Anthropology

Information on the use of this element's isotopes in forensic science and anthropology.

The copper isotope-amount ratio n(65Cu)/n(63Cu) along with the silver isotope-amount ratio n(109Ag)/n(107Ag) and lead isotope-amount ratios n(206Pb)/n(204Pb), n(207Pb)/n(204Pb), and n(208Pb)/n(204Pb) have been used to determine the origin of European coins and the flow of goods in the historical world market. Metals from Peru and Mexico and those from European mining sites have distinct isotopic signatures that enable the origin of the metal to be determined based on the isotopic compositions of silver, copper, and lead in the coins. Silver from mines in Mexico and Peru in the 16 th century was used to mint coins but did not influence the European coin market until the 18 th century [237] [237] A. M. Desaulty, P. Telouk, E. Albalat, F. Albarede. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.108, 9002 (2011).[237] A. M. Desaulty, P. Telouk, E. Albalat, F. Albarede. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.108, 9002 (2011)..

References (2)
  • [237] A. M. Desaulty, P. Telouk, E. Albalat, F. Albarede. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.108, 9002 (2011).
  • [4] IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes (IPTEI) https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-0703

References

(9)
2 Atomic Mass Data Center (AMDC), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Cu

The half-life and atomic mass data was provided by the Atomic Mass Data Center at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Visit source License
3 IUPAC Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (CIAAW)
Copper

Element data are cited from the Atomic weights of the elements (an IUPAC Technical Report). The IUPAC periodic table of elements can be found at https://iupac.org/what-we-do/periodic-table-of-elements/. Additional information can be found within IUPAC publication doi:10.1515/pac-2015-0703 Copyright © 2020 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.

Visit source License
4 IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes (IPTEI)

The information are cited from Pure Appl. Chem. 2018; 90(12): 1833-2092, https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-0703.

Visit source License
License note: Copyright (c) 2020 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) contribution within Pubchem is provided under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, unless otherwise stated.
5 Jefferson Lab, U.S. Department of Energy
Copper

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is one of 17 national laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The lab's primary mission is to conduct basic research of the atom's nucleus using the lab's unique particle accelerator, known as the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF). For more information visit https://www.jlab.org/

Visit source License
License note: Please see citation and linking information: https://education.jlab.org/faq/index.html
6 Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy
Copper

The periodic table at the LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) contains basic element information together with the history, source, properties, use, handling and more. The provenance data may be found from the link under the source name.

Visit source License
7 NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory
Copper

The periodic table contains NIST's critically-evaluated data on atomic properties of the elements. The provenance data that include data for atomic spectroscopy, X-ray and gamma ray, radiation dosimetry, nuclear physics, and condensed matter physics may be found from the link under the source name. Ref: https://www.nist.gov/pml/atomic-spectra-database

Visit source License
8 PubChem Elements
Copper

This section provides all form of data related to element Copper.

License
9 PubChem Elements
Copper

The element property data was retrieved from publications.

License

Last updated:

Data verified:

Content is reviewed against latest scientific data.