112[285]CnCopernicium
Copernicium (Cn) — element 112transition metal · group 12, period 7
Copernicium is a chemical element with the symbol Cn and atomic number 112. It is a transition metal in group 12, period 7 of the periodic table (the d-block), with a standard atomic mass of [285] u. At room temperature (25 °C) copernicium is predicted to be of unknown state.
💡 Known for: Named after Nicolaus Copernicus; it is predicted to be an unusually volatile metal.
# Copernicium properties
| Symbol | Cn |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 112 |
| Atomic mass | [285] u |
| Category | transition metal |
| Group | 12 |
| Period | 7 |
| Block | d-block |
| Electron configuration | [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁴ 6s² 6p⁶ 6d¹⁰ 7s² |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 2 |
| Protons / electrons | 112 / 112 |
| State at 25 °C | unknown |
| Melting point | unknown |
| Boiling point | 357 K (83.9 °C, 182.9 °F) (predicted) |
| Density | 23.7 g/cm³ (predicted) |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | — |
| First ionization energy | — |
| Atomic radius | — |
| Discovered | 1996 |
Values for superheavy elements are theoretical predictions; none have been measured in bulk.
# Electron configuration of copernicium
The electron configuration of copernicium is [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s², written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁴ 6s² 6p⁶ 6d¹⁰ 7s². Its 112 electrons fill 7 shells as 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 2, so the outermost shell holds 2 electrons. Because only a few atoms have ever been made, this configuration is a theoretical prediction.
# Related elements
RgRoentgeniumprevious elementNhNihoniumnext elementZnZincgroup 12CdCadmiumgroup 12HgMercurygroup 12ScScandiumtransition metalTiTitaniumtransition metalVVanadiumtransition metalCrChromiumtransition metalMnManganesetransition metalFeIrontransition metalCoCobalttransition metalNiNickeltransition metal
# Copernicium FAQ
What is the atomic number of copernicium?
The atomic number of copernicium is 112: every copernicium atom has 112 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Cn.
What is the atomic mass of copernicium?
The standard atomic mass of copernicium is [285] u (the mass number of its longest-lived isotope, since it has no stable isotopes).
What is the electron configuration of copernicium?
Copernicium's electron configuration is [Rn] 5f¹⁴ 6d¹⁰ 7s² (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁶ 4d¹⁰ 4f¹⁴ 5s² 5p⁶ 5d¹⁰ 5f¹⁴ 6s² 6p⁶ 6d¹⁰ 7s²), with 2, 8, 18, 32, 32, 18, 2 electrons per shell.
Is copernicium a metal?
Yes. Copernicium is a transition metal, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of copernicium?
The melting point of copernicium is not known and boils at 357 K (83.9 °C, 182.9 °F). These values are predictions.
What is copernicium used for / known for?
Named after Nicolaus Copernicus; it is predicted to be an unusually volatile metal.