Copper (Cu)
transition-metalSolid
Standard Atomic Weight
63.546 uElectron configuration
[Ar] 4s1 3d10Melting point
1084.62 °CBoiling point
2561.85 °CDensity
8933 kg/m³Oxidation states
−2, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4Electronegativity (Pauling)
1.9Ionization energy (1st)
7.72638 eVDiscovery year
N/AAtomic radius
135 pmDetails
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.
Pure copper is a reddish-orange, lustrous metal when freshly polished. It is soft, malleable, and ductile, and it can be drawn into fine wire. In air it darkens as oxide and sulfide films form; long outdoor exposure may produce a green patina of basic copper salts.
The largest use of copper is in electrical wiring, power equipment, motors, generators, and electronics, where its conductivity and workability are central. Copper tubing and sheet are used in plumbing, roofing, heat exchangers, and refrigeration. Important alloys include brass, bronze, cupronickel, and beryllium copper, each chosen for combinations of strength, corrosion resistance, machinability, or spring properties. Copper surfaces and salts also have established antimicrobial and fungicidal applications, although soluble copper compounds require controlled use.
Used in large amounts by the electrical industry in the form of wire, copper is second only to silver in electrical conductance. Since it resists corrosion from the air, moisture and seawater, copper has been widely used in coins. Although once made nearly entirely from copper, American pennies are now made from zinc that has been coated with copper. Copper is also used to make water pipes and jewelry, as well as other items.
Pure copper is usually too soft for most uses. People first learned about 5,000 years ago that copper can be strengthened if it is mixed with other metals. The two most familiar alloys of copper are bronze and brass. Bronze, the first alloy created by people, is a mix of copper that contains as much as 25% tin. Early people used bronze to make tools, weaponry, containers and ornamental items. Brass, a mix of copper that contains between 5% and 45% zinc, was first used about 2,500 years ago. The Romans were the first to make extensive use of brass, using it to make such things as coins, kettles and ornamental objects. Today, brass is also used in some musical instruments, screws and other hardware that must resist corrosion.
Hydrated copper sulfate (CuSO4·H2O), also known as blue vitriol, is the best known copper compound. It is used as an agricultural poison, as an algicide in water purification and as a blue pigment for inks. Cuperic chloride (CuCl2), another copper compound, is used to fix dyes to fabrics. Cuprous chloride (CuCl) is a poisonous white powder that is chiefly used to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). Copper cyanide (CuCN) is commonly used in electroplating.
The electrical industry is one of the greatest users of copper. Iron's alloys brass and bronze are very important: all American coins are copper alloys and gun metals also contain copper.
Copper has wide use as an agricultural poison and as an algaecide in water purification. Copper compounds, such as Fehling's solution, are widely used in analytical chemistry tests for sugar.
Isotopes in Earth/Planetary Science
Molecules, atoms, and ions of the stable isotopes of copper possess slightly different physical and chemical properties, and they commonly will be fractionated during physical, chemical, and biological processes, giving rise to variations in isotopic abundances and in atomic weights. There are measureable variations in the isotopic abundances of copper in natural terrestrial materials (Fig. IUPAC.29.1). 63Cu and 65Cu have been used to study copper isotope science of supergene (formed by descending solutions) copper minerals for potential use as an indicator of the paleohydraulic (ancient hydraulic) gradient, and for potential to provide a vector toward unrecognized copper source regions [236] D. Braxton, R. Mathur. Econ. Geol.106, 1447 (2011).. Copper isotope ratios of iron oxides and supergene copper sulfides in surface samples or fossil leached caps of ore deposits are being used in prospecting to rank prospects and focus on drilling areas that have the greatest potential for mature enrichment profiles [236] D. Braxton, R. Mathur. Econ. Geol.106, 1447 (2011)..
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] A. M. Desaulty, P. Telouk, E. Albalat, F. Albarede. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.108, 9002 (2011)..
Isotopes in Medicine
The radiopharmaceutical 62Cu-PTSM, which contains radioactive 62Cu (with a half-life of 9.7 min), is used as a tracer in positron emission tomography (PET) to quantify myocardial perfusion (heart blood-flow measurements) [238] H. Jadvar, J. A. Parker. Clinical PET and PET/CT, Springer-Verlag London Limited, New York, NY (2005)., [239] M. Shokeen, C. J. Anderson. Acc. Chem. Res.42, 832 (2009).. The radioisotope 64Cu (with a half-life of 12.7 h) is used for PET imaging and radiotherapy to diagnose, understand, and monitor disease (Fig. IUPAC.29.2) [238] H. Jadvar, J. A. Parker. Clinical PET and PET/CT, Springer-Verlag London Limited, New York, NY (2005)., [240] C. J. Anderson, R. Ferdani. Cancer Biother Radiopharm.24 (4), 379 (2009).. The stable isotope 65Cu has been used as a tracer to study copper absorption, utilization, and excretion in humans [241] J. R. Turnlund. Sci. Total Environ.28, 385 (1983)., [242] L. J. Harvey, J. R. Dainty, W. J. Hollands, V. J. Bull, J. H. Beattie, T. I. Venelinov, J. A. Hoogewerff, I. M. Davies, S. J. Fairweather-Tait. Am. J. Clin. Nutr.81, 807 (2005)..
Copper forms two especially important ionic states: copper(I), Cu⁺, and copper(II), Cu²⁺. Copper(I) oxide, Cu₂O, is red and semiconducting, while copper(II) oxide, CuO, is black and more strongly oxidized. Copper(II) sulfate, CuSO₄, is a common laboratory and agricultural salt, usually encountered as the blue pentahydrate CuSO₄·5H₂O. Halides such as copper(I) chloride, CuCl, and copper(II) chloride, CuCl₂, show the contrast between Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ chemistry. Complex formation with ammonia, cyanide, and organic ligands is a major part of copper chemistry.
See more information at the Copper compound page.
Copper is an essential trace element, but excessive intake or exposure can be harmful. Soluble copper salts may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and can be toxic at sufficient dose. Dusts and fumes from cutting, welding, or smelting copper-containing materials are occupational hazards, and some copper compounds are hazardous to aquatic life. Metallic copper is not highly reactive in bulk, but fine powders can present fire or dust risks under some conditions.
Copper occurs in sulfide, oxide, carbonate, and native-metal deposits, and it cycles through weathering, sediment transport, biological uptake, and mineral precipitation. In soils and waters it binds strongly to organic matter, sulfides, clays, and iron or manganese oxides, which limits mobility but can concentrate it in sediments. Copper is required by many organisms in enzymes, yet elevated dissolved copper is toxic to fish, invertebrates, algae, and microorganisms.
Copper is a major industrial metal produced chiefly from sulfide ores by mining, concentration, smelting, converting, and electrorefining, and from some oxide ores by leaching and electrowinning. Demand is tied closely to construction, electrical infrastructure, transport, industrial machinery, and electronics. Recycling is economically important because copper retains its properties after remelting and refining; scrap from wiring, plumbing, motors, and manufacturing waste is a major secondary source. Substitution by aluminium, optical fiber, plastics, or stainless steels is possible in some uses, but performance requirements often keep copper preferred.
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.
Copper is less abundant in the cosmos than iron, nickel, or zinc. Its stable isotopes, ⁶³Cu and ⁶⁵Cu, are produced mainly by neutron-capture and charged-particle processes in evolved stars and supernova environments. In the Solar System it is a minor lithophile to chalcophile element, concentrating strongly into sulfide minerals during planetary differentiation and ore formation.
- Copper has only two stable isotopes, ⁶³Cu and ⁶⁵Cu.
- Its chemical symbol comes from Latin cuprum, linked to Cyprus.
- Copper is diamagnetic, despite being a transition metal.
- Very high-purity copper is used where residual elements would reduce electrical conductivity.
- The green patina on old copper roofs is not a single compound.
- Copper can catalyze oxidation reactions by cycling between Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺.
Images
Properties
Physical
- Atomic radius (empirical)
- 135 pm Compare Atomic radius (empirical) of all elements →
- Covalent radius
- 132 pm Compare Covalent radius of all elements →
- Van der Waals radius
- 140 pm Compare Van der Waals radius of all elements →
- Metallic radius
- 118 pm Compare Metallic radius of all elements →
- Density
- 8933 kg/m³ Compare Density of all elements →
- Molar volume
- 0.0071 L/mol
- Phase at STP
- Solid Compare Phase at STP of all elements →
- Melting point
- 1084.62 °C Compare Melting point of all elements →
- Boiling point
- 2561.85 °C Compare Boiling point of all elements →
- Thermal conductivity
- 401 W/(m·K) Compare Thermal conductivity of all elements →
- Specific heat capacity
- 0.385 J/(g·K) Compare Specific heat capacity of all elements →
- Molar heat capacity
- 24.44 J/(mol·K) Compare Molar heat capacity of all elements →
- Crystal structure
- Face-centered cubic Compare Crystal structure of all elements →
Chemical
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.9 Compare Electronegativity (Pauling) of all elements →
- Electronegativity (Allen)
- 1.85
- Electron affinity
- 1.235 eV
- Ionization energy (1st)
- 7.72638 eV Compare Ionization energy (1st) of all elements →
- Ionization energy (2nd)
- 20.29246 eV Compare Ionization energy (2nd) of all elements →
- Ionization energy (3rd)
- 36.841127 eV Compare Ionization energy (3rd) of all elements →
- Ionization energy (4th)
- 57.380198 eV Compare Ionization energy (4th) of all elements →
- Ionization energy (5th)
- 79.800275 eV Compare Ionization energy (5th) of all elements →
- Oxidation states
- −2, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4 Compare Oxidation states of all elements →
- Valence electrons
- 11 Compare Valence electrons of all elements →
- Electron configuration
- [Ar] 4s1 3d10
Thermodynamic
- Heat of fusion
- 0.13743069 eV Compare Heat of fusion of all elements →
- Heat of vaporization
- 3.113437 eV Compare Heat of vaporization of all elements →
- Heat of sublimation
- 3.496917 eV
- Heat of atomization
- 3.496917 eV
- Atomization enthalpy
- 3.496917 eV
Nuclear
- Protons
- 29 Compare Protons of all elements →
- Neutrons
- 34 Compare Neutrons of all elements →
- Known isotopes
- 33 Compare Known isotopes of all elements →
- Stable isotopes
- 2 Compare Stable isotopes of all elements →
- Most stable isotope
- Cu-63
Abundance
- Abundance (Earth's crust)
- 60 mg/kg Compare Abundance (Earth's crust) of all elements →
- Abundance (ocean)
- 2.5 × 10−4 mg/L Compare Abundance (ocean) of all elements →
Crystal Structure
- Lattice constant a
- 361 pm
Electronic Structure
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 8, 18, 1 Compare Electrons per shell of all elements →
Identifiers
- CAS number
- 7440-50-8 Compare CAS number of all elements →
- Term symbol
- 2S1/2
- InChI
- InChI=1S/Cu
- InChI Key
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Electron Configuration Measured
Cu: 3d¹⁰ 4s¹[Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s¹Atomic model
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
Isotope Distribution
| Mass number | Atomic mass (u) | Natural abundance | Half-life |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63 Stable | 62.92959772 ± 0.00000056 | 69.1500% | Stable |
| 65 Stable | 64.9277897 ± 0.00000071 | 30.8500% | Stable |
Phase / State
Reason: 1059.6 °C below melting point (1084.62 °C)
Schematic, not to scale
Phase transition points
Transition energies
Energy required to melt 1 mol at melting point
Energy required to vaporize 1 mol at boiling point
Energy required to sublime 1 mol at sublimation point
Density
At standard conditions
At standard conditions
Atomic Spectra
Showing 10 of 29. Sorted by ion charge (ascending).
Lines Holdings ?
| Ion | Charge | Total lines | Transition probabilities | Level designations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cu I | 0 | 1003 | 37 | 1003 |
| Cu II | +1 | 2557 | 554 | 2557 |
| Cu III | +2 | 100 | 0 | 0 |
| Cu IV | +3 | 60 | 0 | 0 |
| Cu V | +4 | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| Cu X | +9 | 28 | 0 | 28 |
Levels Holdings ?
| Ion | Charge | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Cu I | 0 | 365 |
| Cu II | +1 | 468 |
| Cu III | +2 | 390 |
| Cu IV | +3 | 298 |
| Cu V | +4 | 249 |
| Cu VI | +5 | 255 |
| Cu VII | +6 | 5 |
| Cu VIII | +7 | 2 |
| Cu IX | +8 | 2 |
| Cu X | +9 | 31 |
Ionic Radii
| Charge | Coordination | Spin | Radius |
|---|---|---|---|
| +1 | 2 | N/A | 46 pm |
| +1 | 4 | N/A | 60 pm |
| +1 | 6 | N/A | 77 pm |
| +2 | 4 | N/A | 56.99999999999999 pm |
| +2 | 4 | N/A | 56.99999999999999 pm |
| +2 | 5 | N/A | 65 pm |
| +2 | 6 | N/A | 73 pm |
| +3 | 6 | low | 54 pm |
Compounds
Isotopes (2)
| Mass number | Atomic mass (u) | Natural abundance | Half-life | Decay mode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 Stable | 62.92959772 ± 0.00000056 | 69.1500% ± 0.1500% | Stable | stable | |
| 65 Stable | 64.9277897 ± 0.00000071 | 30.8500% ± 0.1500% | Stable | stable |
Spectral Lines
Showing 50 of 1058. Only spectral lines with measured intensity are shown by default.
| Wavelength (nm) | Intensity | Ion stage | Type | Transition | Accuracy | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 490.973351 nm | 160000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[9/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[11/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 493.16981 nm | 140000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[9/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[11/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 505.179209 nm | 120000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 495.37246 nm | 82000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[9/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 498.550498 nm | 70000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 506.545861 nm | 70000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[7/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 508.827603 nm | 57000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 740.43532 nm | 55000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).6s 2[5/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 491.83778 nm | 54000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[9/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 505.890923 nm | 48000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 627.334763 nm | 47000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[7/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 500.679978 nm | 46000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 506.709423 nm | 46000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[7/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 509.381536 nm | 41000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 621.69385 nm | 39000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[7/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 600.01168 nm | 38000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[3/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 501.26199 nm | 37000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 468.19935 nm | 36000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 481.29474 nm | 36000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[3/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 500.985058 nm | 35000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 485.498743 nm | 34000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[9/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[9/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 502.127849 nm | 32000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 507.230253 nm | 32000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 594.11951 nm | 31000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[5/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 512.44753 nm | 30000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d8.(3F).4s.4p.(1P*) 3G* | Measured | NIST | |
| 467.170176 nm | 29000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 491.291987 nm | 29000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 520.7134 nm | 29000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d8.(1G).4s.4p.(3P*) 3H* | Measured | NIST | |
| 493.155505 nm | 28000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 404.34858 nm | 27000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.4p 1F* → 3d8.4s2 1G | Measured | NIST | |
| 504.73477 nm | 27000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[7/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 630.10137 nm | 27000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).5d 2[7/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 490.142634 nm | 26000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 492.64232 nm | 26000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 493.722031 nm | 26000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 508.84896 nm | 25000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 615.42211 nm | 25000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[3/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[1/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 621.98488 nm | 24000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).5d 2[7/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 526.99904 nm | 23000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.4p 3P* → 3d8.4s2 1D | Measured | NIST | |
| 589.79758 nm | 23000 | Cu II | emission | 3d8.(3F).4s.4p.(3P*) 3G* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).6s 2[5/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 490.656612 nm | 21000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 508.397879 nm | 21000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[7/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 467.35774 nm | 20000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 494.3025 nm | 20000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[3/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 512.075319 nm | 20000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[3/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 644.85593 nm | 20000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.4p 3D* → 3d8.4s2 3P | Measured | NIST | |
| 508.89421 nm | 19000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4d 2[5/2] → 3d9.(2D<3/2>).4f 2[5/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 518.33664 nm | 19000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4d 2[1/2] → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).4f 2[1/2]* | Measured | NIST | |
| 524.53423 nm | 19000 | Cu II | emission | 3d8.(3F).4s.4p.(3P*) 3F* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[9/2] | Measured | NIST | |
| 626.18464 nm | 19000 | Cu II | emission | 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5p 2[5/2]* → 3d9.(2D<5/2>).5d 2[7/2] | Measured | NIST |
Extended Properties
Covalent Radii (Extended)
- Covalent radius (Pyykkö)
- 112 pm
- Covalent radius (Pyykkö, double)
- 115 pm
- Covalent radius (Pyykkö, triple)
- 120 pm
- Covalent radius (Bragg)
- 137 pm
Van der Waals Radii
- Batsanov
- 200 pm
- Alvarez
- 238 pm
- UFF
- 349.5 pm
- MM3
- 226 pm
Atomic & Metallic Radii
- Atomic radius (Rahm)
- 217 pm
- Metallic radius (C12)
- 128 pm
Numbering Scales
- Mendeleev
- 71
- Pettifor
- 72
- Glawe
- 68
Electronegativity Scales
- Ghosh
- 0
- Miedema
- 4
- Robles–Bartolotti
- 4
Polarizability & Dispersion
- Dipole polarizability
- 46.5 a.u.
- Dipole polarizability (unc.)
- 0.5 a.u.
- C₆
- 253 Ha·Bohr6
- C₆ (Gould–Bučko)
- 264 Ha·Bohr6
Chemical Affinity
- Proton affinity
- 655.3 kJ/mol
- Gas basicity
- 632.4 kJ/mol
Miedema Parameters
- Miedema molar volume
- 7.12 cm3/mol
- Miedema electron density
- 3
Supply Risk & Economics
- Production concentration
- 34
- Relative supply risk
- 4
- Reserve distribution
- 28
- Political stability (top producer)
- 68
- Political stability (top reserve)
- 68
Phase Transitions & Allotropes
| Melting point | 1357.77 K |
| Boiling point | 2833.15 K |
Oxidation State Categories
Advanced Reference Data
Screening Constants (7)
| n | Orbital | σ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | s | 0.6614 |
| 2 | p | 3.903 |
| 2 | s | 7.9802 |
| 3 | d | 15.7994 |
| 3 | p | 14.2694 |
| 3 | s | 13.4057 |
| 4 | s | 23.1576 |
Crystal Radii Detail (8)
| Charge | CN | Spin | rcrystal (pm) | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | II | 60 | ||
| 1 | IV | 74 | estimated, | |
| 1 | VI | 91 | estimated, | |
| 2 | IV | 71 | ||
| 2 | IVSQ | 71 | ||
| 2 | V | 79 | ||
| 2 | VI | 87 | ||
| 3 | VI | LS | 60 |
Isotope Decay Modes (52)
| Isotope | Mode | Intensity |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | p | — |
| 53 | p | — |
| 54 | p | — |
| 55 | B+ | 100% |
| 55 | B+p | — |
| 56 | B+ | 100% |
| 56 | B+p | 0.4% |
| 57 | B+ | 100% |
| 58 | B+ | 100% |
| 59 | B+ | 100% |
X‑ray Scattering Factors (504)
| Energy (eV) | f₁ | f₂ |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Estimated Crustal Abundance
The estimated element abundance in the earth's crust.
6.0×101 milligrams per kilogram
References (1)
Estimated Oceanic Abundance
The estimated element abundance in the earth's oceans.
2.5×10-4 milligrams per liter
References (1)
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)
- [6] Copper https://periodic.lanl.gov/29.shtml
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] 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)
Data deposited in or computed by PubChem
The half-life and atomic mass data was provided by the Atomic Mass Data Center at the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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.
The information are cited from Pure Appl. Chem. 2018; 90(12): 1833-2092, https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2015-0703.
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/
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.
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
This section provides all form of data related to element Copper.
The element property data was retrieved from publications.