Element 6 · Reactive nonmetal
Carbon (C) — Element 6
Latin carbo — coal
Carbon (C) is a reactive nonmetal in Period 2, Group 14 of the periodic table with atomic number 6, standard atomic weight 12.011 u, and ground-state electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p². At standard temperature and pressure it is classified as a solid with 4 valence electrons and common oxidation states +4, -4, +2.
Life's backbone, steel, graphene, diamonds
What are the atomic properties and physical constants of Carbon?
Reference constants compiled from IUPAC standard atomic weights, the NIST Atomic Spectra Database, and the CRC Handbook.
- Atomic number (Z)
- 6
- Standard atomic mass
- 12.011 u
- Chemical family
- Reactive nonmetal
- Ground-state configuration
- [He] 2s² 2p²
- Electrons per shell
- 2, 4
- Valence electrons
- 4
- Common ion charges / oxidation states
- +4, -4, +2
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Pauling electronegativity
- 2.55 Pauling
- First ionization energy
- 1,086 kJ/mol
- Atomic radius
- 67 pm
- Melting point
- 3,550 °C
- Boiling point
- 4,027 °C
- Discovery year
- Ancient
- Table coordinate
- Period 2, Group 14
- Radioactivity
- Has stable isotope(s)
How are electrons arranged across Carbon’s shells?
A neutral Carbon atom contains 6 electrons distributed across 2 occupied principal energy shells ([He] 2s² 2p²). The table below compares Carbon’s shell occupancy against each shell’s theoretical 2n² capacity.
| Principal Shell (n) | Spectroscopic Letter | Electrons in C | Max Shell Capacity (2n²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1 | K | 2 e⁻ | 2 e⁻ |
| n = 2 | L | 4 e⁻ | 8 e⁻ |
Frequently Asked Questions about Carbon (C)
What is the atomic mass and atomic number of Carbon (C)?
Carbon (C) has atomic number Z = 6 (6 protons in its nucleus) and an IUPAC standard atomic weight of 12.011 u. It sits in Period 2, Group 14 and is classified as a reactive nonmetal.
What is the ground-state electron configuration of Carbon?
The neutral ground-state electron configuration of Carbon (Z = 6) is [He] 2s² 2p². Across its 2 occupied principal shells (n = 1 to n = 2), the electrons per shell are 2, 4, with 4 valence electrons participating in bonding.
What are the common ion charges and electronegativity of Carbon?
Carbon commonly forms +4, -4, +2 oxidation states or ion charges in compounds. Its Pauling electronegativity is 2.55 and its first ionization energy is 1,086 kJ/mol.
When was Carbon discovered and what is it used for?
Carbon was discovered in Ancient (Latin carbo — coal). Life's backbone, steel, graphene, diamonds
How does Carbon compare to neighboring elements?
Other reactive nonmetal elements: