Copper Chemical Properties (25 Facts You Should Know)

Copper is a transition element that is multidisciplinary in its approach to various scientific fields. Let us discuss some facts about it.

Copper is one of the rarest species which is available and used in its purest and native metallic state. It is a brownish metal that is malleable, ductile, and lustrous with high conductivity. Being a solid it has a face-centered cubic crystal structure.

From early ages, copper has been the only element used by human beings making it one of the oldest elements. Presently, it is employed in metallurgical, medicinal, textile industries, etc. Let us understand its chemical properties like density, radius, magnetism, etc.

Copper symbol

The symbol is a small representation of an element according to its scientific name which involves the first 2 letters. Let us check the representation of copper.

The symbol of copper is Cu as mentioned in the periodic table which is derived from its scientific name cuprum.

Copper group in the periodic table

The vertical column of the periodic table where elements of the same family are placed together is a group. Let us figure out the group assigned to copper.

Copper is assigned group 11 of the periodic table and belongs to the coinage metal family which are known since prehistoric times as metals of value.

Copper period in the periodic table

A period is a horizontal row in the periodic table which signifies the change in the trend with the addition of electrons in the same shell. Let us find out the period assigned to copper.

Copper belongs to the 4^th period which is approximately in the center of the periodic table.

Copper block in the periodic table

A block is a zone of unified elements which have similarities in their azimuthal quantum numbers. Let us discuss the block of copper.

Copper’s location in the periodic table is the d block which is the block of the transition metal elements.

Copper atomic number

The atomic number is the number unique to every element in the periodic table. Let us check the atomic number for copper.

The atomic number of copper is 29. Mathematically it is equal to no. of electrons and protons. In copper, the no. of electrons and protons is 29. Hence atomic number is 29.

Copper atomic weight

Atomic weight is the weight of an atom. It is the sum of protons and neutrons or the total weight in a nucleus. Let us check the same for copper.

The atomic weight of the copper element is 63.546 u.

Copper electronegativity according to Pauling    

Electronegativity is the attracting power of an atom during bonding either by transference or sharing of electrons. Let us check out the same for copper.

The electronegativity of copper according to the Pauling scale is 1.9 which implies that it prefers forming ionic bonds which involve the transference of electrons.

Copper atomic density

Atomic density is the volume occupied by the no. of atoms along with their mass. Let us find out the atomic density of copper.

The atomic density of copper is 8.92 g/cm³ at atmospheric pressure and room temperature.

Copper melting point

The melting point is the stage at which there is a change in the state of matter from solid to liquid and both states are in equilibrium. Let us look for the same in copper.

The melting point of copper is 1085 degree Celsius which is very high due to strong intermolecular forces and metallic bonds.

Copper boiling point

The boiling point is a particular temperature where the vapor pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure. Let us check the boiling point of copper.

The boiling point of copper is 2562 degree Celsius which is in complete alignment with atmospheric pressure.

Copper van der Waals radius

Vander Waal radius is measured when the atom does not exhibit bonding as described by Pauling. Let us check the radius for copper.

The Vander Waal radius of copper is 1.4 angstrom.

Copper ionic radius

Ionic radius as the name suggests is the radius of an ion but is not fixated and involves the influence of an electron cloud as well. Let us discuss it in copper.

The ionic radius for Cu⁺ is 77pm and for Cu²⁺ it is 73pm. It varies according to the charge present on the copper ion.

Copper isotopes

Isotopes are a family of an element where no. of protons is the same, but the neutrons are different. Let us discuss isotopes in copper.

Copper has 2 stable and natural isotopes and 27 radioisotopes. The stable isotopes are mentioned below.

• ⁶³Cu
• ⁶⁵Cu

Copper electronic shells

The concept of electronic shells is based on the octet rule and their ability to hold electrons. Let us figure out the electronic shells involved in copper.

The electronic shells in copper are 4. The atomic number of copper is 29 according to which the distribution of electrons in the shell will be 2, 8, 18, 1.

Copper energy of first ionization

First ionization energy is the ability to remove first loosely bound electrons during bonding. Let us discuss copper in the same context.

The energy of the first ionization in copper is 7.7264eV which is much higher than alkali metals.

Copper energy of second ionization

Second ionization energy is the capacity to remove the 2nd electron from the atom. Let us check it for copper.

The second ionization energy for copper is 1957.9eV which is higher than the first one making it difficult for copper to lose electrons due to its small size and stronger forces.

Copper energy of third ionization

Third ionization energy is the requirement to remove 3rd electron from the shell. Let us discuss the energy requirements for copper.

The third ionization energy of copper is very high which is 3555eV because after the removal of 2 electrons copper gains a stable half-filled configuration. So, the removal of 3rd electron is hard.

Copper oxidation states

Oxidation states are commonly found in ionic species as a hypothetical charge or the ability to form ionic bonds. Let us discover the oxidation states of copper.

The principal oxidation states of copper are +1 and +2 but some complexes, especially coordination compounds also show +3 oxidation states.

Copper electronic configurations

The electronic configuration is the concept of quantum chemistry focusing on the distribution of electrons at an orbital level. Let us check it for copper.

The electronic configuration of copper is [Ar]3d104s1 where Ar is the argon noble gas. The detailed configuration is 1s22s22p63s23p64s13d10.

Copper CAS number

CAS number is a unique 10-digit number assigned to every element by Chemical Abstracts Service. Let us find it for copper.

The CAS number for copper is 7440-50-8.

Copper ChemSpider ID

ChemSpider ID is an identification given to every element in a chemical structure database owned by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Let us look the same for copper.

The ChemSpider ID for copper is 22414.

Copper allotropic forms

Allotropism is the property where a chemical element can exist in different physical forms. Let us check whether the same is observed in copper.

Copper does not have any allotropic forms. Here there is only a single structure, and no crystalline and amorphous forms exist.

Copper chemical classification

The chemical classification of an element gave us insight into the characteristics associated with it. Let us discuss the chemical classification of copper.

The characteristics of copper are:

• Copper is one of the rarest metals which is found in its neutral and free state.
• Copper has high conductivity and mechanical properties at cryogenic conditions which make it successful for many applications.
• Copper can be tempered easily according to the required tensile strength.
• Copper shows good resistance against biofouling and corrosion.

Copper state at room temperature

The state of any element depends on the temperature and pressure conditions. Let us check out the state of copper at room temperature.

The state of copper at room temperature is solid because of its high melting and boiling point.

Is copper paramagnetic?

Para magnetism is the weak attraction of the element due to externally applied magnetics forces. Let us check whether copper is paramagnetic or not.

Copper is not a paramagnetic substance, instead, it is ferromagnetic where there is a strong attraction to the magnetic field.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, copper is a very important coinage metal with great historical significance and application in the present scenario. All its properties are in complete alignment with the properties exhibited by metallic substances.