Carbon (C) - Element 6 | Properties & Electron Configuration
What is Carbon?
Carbon (C) is element 6, a nonmetal in period 2, group 14. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p².
| Atomic Number | 6 |
| Symbol | C |
| Atomic Mass | 12.011 u |
| Category | Nonmetal |
| Period | 2 |
| Group | 14 |
| Block | p |
| Electron Configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p² |
| Short Config | [He] 2s² 2p² |
| Electronegativity | 2.55 |
| Atomic Radius | 77 pm |
| Ionization Energy | 1086 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 122 kJ/mol |
| Phase (STP) | Solid |
Electron Configuration
The full electron configuration of Carbon is 1s² 2s² 2p². In noble gas shorthand, this is written as [He] 2s² 2p².
Carbon is a p-block element in group 14, period 2.
Periodic Trends
Electronegativity: Carbon has a Pauling electronegativity of 2.55. Within group 14, electronegativity generally decreases down the group.
Atomic Radius: 77 pm. Across period 2, atomic radius generally decreases left to right as nuclear charge increases.
Ionization Energy: 1086 kJ/mol. Ionization energy generally increases across a period and decreases down a group.
View all 118 elements with trend overlays for electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy, and electron affinity.
Explore Carbon on the Interactive Periodic TableRelated Topics
Silicon (Si)
Properties of Silicon - same group as Carbon
Germanium (Ge)
Properties of Germanium - same group as Carbon
Tin (Sn)
Properties of Tin - same group as Carbon
Lithium (Li)
Properties of Lithium - same period as Carbon
Beryllium (Be)
Properties of Beryllium - same period as Carbon
Boron (B)
Properties of Boron - same period as Carbon