Element 29
Copper
Transition metals
Copper (Cu) is in the d-block of the periodic table — group 11, period 4.
Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu (from Latin:cuprum) and atomic number 29.
Key data
- Atomic number
- 29
- Atomic mass
- 63.546 u
- Group / Period
- 11 / 4
- Block
- d-block
- Phase at STP
- Solid
- Density
- 8.96 g/cm³
- Melting point
- 1084.6 °C
- Boiling point
- 2561.8 °C
- Electron configuration
- [Ar] 3d10 4s1
Periodic table block
Copper is in the d-block (group 11, period 4). Elements land in the d-block when their highest-energy electrons fill a d subshell — these are the transition metals in the middle of the table.
New to this? Periodic table blocks explained: s, p, d, and f
Common uses
- •Wiring
- •Plumbing pipes
- •Pennies (now plated)
Discovery
Year: Known since antiquity
Discovered by: Middle East
Frequently asked questions
What is the atomic number of Copper?
Copper has atomic number 29. Its symbol is Cu and its atomic mass is 63.546 u.
What category of element is Copper?
Copper is classified as transition metals. It sits in group 11, period 4 of the periodic table.
What block of the periodic table is Copper in?
Copper is in the d-block (group 11, period 4). Its highest-energy electrons occupy the d subshell — you can see this in its electron configuration, [Ar] 3d10 4s1.
What is Copper used for?
Common uses of Copper include: Wiring, Plumbing pipes, Pennies (now plated).
When was Copper discovered?
Copper has been known since antiquity.
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