Properties and Characteristics of the Carbon Atom

The properties and characteristics of the carbon atom are summcirized in Table 2.4. 

Z (atomic number = number of protons or electrons) 6 N (number of neutrons) 6 or 7 (common isotopes) 

A (Z -I- N or number of nucleons or mass numbei) 12 or 13 Atomic Mass 12.01115 amu (see below) 

Atomic Radius 0.077 nm (graphite structure) (see below First Ionization Potential v = 11.260 Quantum Number of Last Added Electron n = 2,1 = 1 Outermost Occupied Shell L 

Atomic Radius The atomic radius of carbon is half the equilibrium distance between two carbon atoms of the planar graphite structure. Carbon has one of the smallest radii of all the elements as shown in Teible 2.5. All elements not shown in this table have larger radii. 

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