6
C
Carbon
12.011
Carbon (C)
NonmetalGroup 14Period 2p-block-block
Carbon (from Latin:carbo "coal") is a chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. On the periodic table, it is the first (row 2) of six elements in column (group) 14, which have in common the composition of their outer electron shell. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds.
Latin name: Carbonium
Atomic Number
6
Atomic Mass
12.011 g/mol
Phase (STP)
Solid
Electron Config.
[He] 2s² 2p²
General
SymbolC
Atomic Number6
Atomic Mass12.011 g/mol
CategoryNonmetal
Group14
Period2
Blockp-block
Electron Configuration[He] 2s² 2p²
Valence Electrons4
ColourBlack (graphite), transparent (diamond)
CAS NumberCAS7440-44-0
Physical Properties
Phase (STP)Solid
Density2.267 g/cm³
Melting Point3549.85°C · 6421.73°F · 3823.00 K
Boiling Point3824.85°C · 6916.73°F · 4098.00 K
Atomic Properties
Atomic Radius67 pm
Covalent Radius76 pm
Van der Waals Radius170 pm
Electronegativity2.55 Pauling
Ionization Energy1086 kJ/mol
Electron Affinity121.8 kJ/mol
Oxidation States-4, -3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4
Ion ChargeC⁴⁺/C⁴⁻
Thermodynamic
Molar Heat8.517 J/(mol·K)
Thermal Conductivity140 W/(m·K)
Electromagnetic
Electrical TypeConductor (graphite), Insulator (diamond)
Crystal Structure
Crystal StructureHexagonal (graphite), Diamond cubic (diamond)
Mechanical Properties
Mohs Hardness10
Abundance
In Universe0.5000%
In Sun0.3000%
In Earth's Crust0.2700%
In Oceans0.0028%
In Humans18.0000%
In Meteorites1.5000%
Discovery & History
Discovery Year-3750
Discovered ByKnown since antiquity
Isotopes of Carbon
| Isotope | Abundance | Half-life | Decay |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-12 | 98.93% | Stable | — |
| C-13 | 1.07% | Stable | — |
| C-14 | — | 5730 years | β⁻ |