Atomic number 6
Carbon
Nonmetal
Quick facts
- Atomic mass
- 12.011
- Group
- 14
- Period
- 2
- State (STP)
- solid
- Electronegativity
- 2.55
- Common ox. states
- -4, +2, +4
Properties
Electron configuration
[He] 2s² 2p²
- Ionization energy
- 1086.5 kJ/mol
- Electron affinity
- 121.8 kJ/mol
- Melting point
- 3823.00 K (3549.8 °C)
- Boiling point
- 4098.00 K (3824.8 °C)
How it bonds
Carbon has 4 valence electrons and 4 spaces left in its 2nd shell — a perfectly balanced split that lets it form 4 strong covalent bonds in any combination of singles, doubles, and triples. Bonds to itself in chains, rings, and sheets (graphite, diamond, every organic molecule). The element of life.
Element Lore
Stories, history, and chemistry behind Carbon.
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