612.011CCarbon
Carbon (C) — element 6reactive nonmetal · group 14, period 2
Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is a reactive nonmetal in group 14, period 2 of the periodic table (the p-block), with a standard atomic mass of 12.011 u. At room temperature (25 °C) carbon is a solid.
💡 Known for: The basis of all known life; it forms diamond, graphite, graphene and millions of organic compounds.
# Carbon properties
| Symbol | C |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 6 |
| Atomic mass | 12.011 u |
| Category | reactive nonmetal |
| Group | 14 |
| Period | 2 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [He] 2s² 2p² |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 4 |
| Protons / electrons | 6 / 6 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 3800 K (3526.8 °C, 6380.3 °F) |
| Boiling point | 4300 K (4026.8 °C, 7280.3 °F) |
| Density | 2.267 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 2.55 |
| First ionization energy | 11.26 eV |
| Atomic radius | 67 pm |
| Discovered | known since ancient times |
# Electron configuration of carbon
The electron configuration of carbon is [He] 2s² 2p², written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p². Its 6 electrons fill 2 shells as 2, 4, so the outermost shell holds 4 electrons. As a group 14 element, carbon has 4 valence electrons.
# Related elements
BBoronprevious elementNNitrogennext elementSiSilicongroup 14GeGermaniumgroup 14SnTingroup 14PbLeadgroup 14FlFleroviumgroup 14HHydrogenreactive nonmetalOOxygenreactive nonmetalPPhosphorusreactive nonmetalSSulfurreactive nonmetalSeSeleniumreactive nonmetal
# Carbon FAQ
What is the atomic number of carbon?
The atomic number of carbon is 6: every carbon atom has 6 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is C.
What is the atomic mass of carbon?
The standard atomic mass of carbon is 12.011 u.
What is the electron configuration of carbon?
Carbon's electron configuration is [He] 2s² 2p² (1s² 2s² 2p²), with 2, 4 electrons per shell.
Is carbon a metal?
No. Carbon is a reactive nonmetal, a nonmetal.
What is the melting point of carbon?
Carbon melts at 3800 K (3526.8 °C, 6380.3 °F) and boils at 4300 K (4026.8 °C, 7280.3 °F).
What is carbon used for / known for?
The basis of all known life; it forms diamond, graphite, graphene and millions of organic compounds.