Physical Properties
How this element behaves in real-world conditions.
- State (25°C)
- Solid
- Density
- 2.267 g/cm³
- Melting Point
- 3550 °C
- Boiling Point
- 4027 °C
Atomic Structure
Core identity and periodic table positioning.
Electromagnetic Properties
How this element attracts and exchanges electrons.
- Electronegativity
- 2.55
- Ionization Energy
- 11.26 eV
- Electron Affinity
- 1.263 eV
- Metallic Character
- Nonmetal
Hero / Identity Section
Core identity profile for Carbon with periodic placement and electron context.
- Element Name
- Carbon
- Symbol
- C
- Atomic Number
- 6
- Atomic Mass
- 12.011
- Group
- 14
- Period
- 2
- Block
- P
- Category
- Nonmetal
- Standard State
- Solid
- Electron Configuration (Full)
- 1s2 2s2 2p2
- Electron Configuration (Noble Gas)
- [He] 2s2 2p2
- Valence Electrons
- 4
Quick Facts Card (Table Layout)
Fast-reference values for physical and energetic properties.
Atomic Radius
67 pm
Ionic Radius
Not available in current dataset
Electronegativity (Pauling)
2.55
1st Ionization Energy
11.26 eV
Electron Affinity
1.263 eV
Density
2.267 g/cm³
Melting Point
3,550 °C
Boiling Point
4,027 °C
Heat Capacity
Not available in current dataset
Thermal Conductivity
Not available in current dataset
Visual Components
Visual learning views for table position, shells, orbitals, and phase behavior.
Highlighted Position in Periodic Table Grid
C
Row 2, Column 14
Bohr Model Diagram
C
Educational shell model for electron arrangement.
Electron Shell Diagram
- K shell2
- L shell4
Orbital Configuration Diagram
1s2/2
2s2/2
2p2/6
Phase Illustration
Solid
Solid lattice
Atomic Structure Section
Nuclear composition and electron shielding interpretation.
- Protons
- 6
- Neutrons (Most Abundant Isotope Estimate)
- 6
- Electrons
- 6
- Electron Configuration Breakdown
- 2 • 4
- Shielding Explanation
- Core electrons (~2) shield part of the nucleus, reducing attraction felt by outer electrons compared with the full nuclear charge.
- Effective Nuclear Charge (Estimate)
- 4
Chemical Properties Section
Category-guided chemistry behavior with periodic context for comparison.
- Common Oxidation States
- Variable, often includes negative and positive states
- Reactivity Summary
- Often forms covalent compounds; reactivity spans from very high to relatively low.
- Acid/Base Behavior
- Many nonmetal oxides are acidic or acid-forming in water.
- Bonding Behavior
- Primarily covalent bonding; may form molecular or network solids.
- Typical Compounds
- CO2, CO, CH4, CaCO3
- Periodic Trend Comparison (Group Neighbors)
- Compared with Si, this element is higher in the group and often shows a smaller radius with stronger effective attraction to valence electrons.
Isotopes & Nuclear Data
Isotope stability and abundance notes for learning-oriented nuclear context.
- Stable Isotopes
- Stable isotopes are known. Most abundant isotope is commonly represented near C-12.
- Radioactive Isotopes
- Radioactive isotopes exist alongside stable isotopes.
- Natural Abundance (%)
- Naturally occurring with isotope-dependent abundance.
- Half-life (If Applicable)
- Stable isotopes have no half-life; radioactive isotopes have isotope-specific half-lives.
- Nuclear Spin (Optional Advanced)
- Advanced isotope-level data is not included in the current core dataset.
- Most Abundant Isotope (Estimate)
- C-12
Applications & Uses
How this element appears in industry, biology, medicine, and technology.
- Industrial Uses
- Essential feedstocks for fuels, polymers, fertilizers, and process chemistry.
- Biological Role
- Many are fundamental to biomolecules and metabolism.
- Medical Use
- Widely used in pharmaceuticals, respiratory care, and disinfection chemistry.
- Technological Relevance
- Critical in semiconductors, polymers, and life-science technologies.
- Environmental Impact
- Biogeochemical cycling is central; some species drive pollution or acidification.
Safety & Handling
General hazard guidance for educational reference and lab awareness.
- Toxicity
- Ranges from benign to hazardous; speciation and concentration determine risk.
- Flammability
- Several nonmetal forms can be combustible or support combustion reactions.
- Storage Considerations
- Store by physical form with ventilation and incompatibility controls.
- Regulatory Classification
- Managed under general chemical hygiene plus compound-specific hazard labels.