Atomic number:6

Group numbers:14

Period:2

Electronic configuration:[He] 2s² 2p²

Formal oxidation number:-4 +2 +4

Electronegativities:2.55

Atomic radius / pm:77.2

Relative atomic mass:12.0107 ± 0.0008

 

Carbon has been known since ancient times. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word carbo meaning charcoal. Carbon has three forms: graphite, diamond and c60. Graphite form of carbon is a black, odourless, slippery solid and sublimes at 3825 °C. Diamond form is a clear or coloured; an extremely hard solid. C60 is Buckminsterfullerine. Carbon black burns readily with oxidants. Carbon is made by burning organic compounds with insufficient oxygen. There are close to ten million known carbon compounds, many thousands of which are vital to organic and life processes. Radiocarbon dating uses the carbon-14 isotope to date old objects.

Density / g dm^-3:3513 (diamant, 293 K)

 2260 (graphit, 293 K)

Molar volume / cm³mol^-1:3.42 (diamant, 293 K)

 5.31 (graphit, 293 K)

Electrical resistivity / μΩcm:1375 (20 °C)

Thermal conductivity / W m^-1K^-1:5.7

Melting point / °C:3550

Boiling point / °C:4827

Heat of fusion / kJ mol^-1:105

Heat of vaporization / kJ mol^-1:710.9

Heat of atomization / kJ mol^-1:711.2

1st ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:1086.46

2nd ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:2352.65

3rd ionization energy / kJ mol^-1:4620.50

in the atmosphere / ppm:336.7

in the Earth's crust / ppm:200

in the oceans / ppm:28