Cu (Copper) is an element with position number 29 in the periodic table.
Located in the IV period. Melting point: 1083.5 ℃. Density: 8.92 g/cm3.
The order of filling the orbitals with electrons in the Cu atom is an exception to the rule.
Expected electronic configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9
But in reality, one electron moves from the 4s orbital to the 3d orbital:
Electronic configuration of the Copper atom in ascending order of orbital energies:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10
Electronic configuration of the Copper atom in ascending order of the levels:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s1
Reduced electronic configuration Cu:
[Ar] 3d10 4s1
Expected electronic configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9
But in reality, one electron moves from the 4s orbital to the 3d orbital:
Electronic configuration of the Copper atom in ascending order of orbital energies:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 3d10
Electronic configuration of the Copper atom in ascending order of the levels:
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s1
Reduced electronic configuration Cu:
[Ar] 3d10 4s1
Below is the electronic diagram of the Copper atom
Distribution of electrons over energy levels in the Cu atom
1-st level (K): 2
2-st level (L): 8
3-st level (M): 18
4-st level (N): 1
1-st level (K): 2
2-st level (L): 8
3-st level (M): 18
4-st level (N): 1
Valence electrons of Copper
The number of valence electrons in a Copper atom - 11.
Below are their quantum numbers (N - energy, L - angular momentum, M - magnetic moment, S - spin )
Below are their quantum numbers (N - energy, L - angular momentum, M - magnetic moment, S - spin )
| Orbital | N | L | M | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| s | 4 | 0 | 0 | +1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | -2 | +1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | -1 | +1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | 0 | +1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | 2 | +1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | -2 | -1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | -1 | -1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | 0 | -1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | 1 | -1/2 |
| d | 3 | 2 | 2 | -1/2 |
Oxidation states of Copper: +1, +2, +3
Other elements
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Electronic configurations of other elements
Nickel (Ni) electron configurationZinc (Zn) electron configuration
Electronic configuration table
