Carbon

01 / A closer look

Meet Carbon

Carbon has atomic number 6: every atom of this element contains 6 protons. It belongs to period 2, group 14 of the periodic table.

In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons. Isotopes of this element share the same atomic number but have different neutron counts.

02 / Physical properties

Melting point

Not listed

Sublimes rather than a normal melting/boiling transition; see the source

Boiling point

Not listed

Sublimes rather than a normal melting/boiling transition; see the source

Density

2.2 g/cm³

Graphite; diamond: 3.513 g/cm³

Atomic weight

12.011 ± 0.002

Melting points, boiling points and densities follow RSC fact boxes. Density is referenced to room temperature; consult the source for pressure and allotrope details. These are reference values, not a claim that every value was experimentally measured. Atomic weights follow CIAAW.

Physical-property source: Royal Society of Chemistry ↗ · Reviewed 24 September 2026

Standard atomic weights follow CIAAW 2024 (abridged). Brackets show an isotope mass number from IUPAC 2022, not a standard atomic weight.

03 / Atomic structure

Atomic structure

Electron configuration

[He]2s2 2p2

Oxidation states

+4, +2, -4

Electronegativity · Pauling

2.55

First ionisation energy

11.260 eV

Atomic radius

170 pm

04 / Where it is found

Where it is found

Living organisms, carbonates, graphite and diamond deposits.

Production and export figures depend on the commodity and reporting year. No comparable country quantities have been included for this element in this edition.