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Carbon
Electron Configuration 2,4
Electron Configuration 1s2 2s2 2p2
Ground state 3P0
Atomic Volume 4.58 g/cm3
Electronegativity 2.55
Magnetic ordering Diamagnetic
Mass magnetic susceptibility -6.2 x 10-9
Molar magnetic susceptibility -7.45 x 10-11
Thermal Properties
Enthalpy of Atomization No data.
Enthalpy of Fusion 105.0 kJ mol-1
Enthalpy of Vaporisation 710.9 kJ mol-1
Heat Capacity (graphite) 8.517 J mol-1 K-1
Thermal Conductivity (graphite) 119-165 W m-1 K-1
Thermal Expansion No data.
Hardness
Mohs hardness 1-2 graphite, 10 diamond
Electrical Properties
Electrical resistivity No data.
Electrical conductivity No data.
Chemical Properties
Ionization Potential  
First 11.26
Second 24.383
Third 47.887
Incompatibilities Very strong oxidizers such as fluorine, chlorine trifluoride (ClF3)and potassium peroxide (K2O2).
Flammability
Combustible solid (graphite)
Optical Properties
Refractive Index (solid) 2.417 (diamond)
Energy Levels
Kα1 (intensity 100) 0.277 KeV
Atomic Radii
Empirical 70 pm
Bohr Radius 67 pm
Covalent Radius 77 pm
Van der Waals 170 pm
Triple covalent 60 pm
Metallic No data.
Ionic Radii (Å)
Charge Coordination Crystal Ionic Key
III 0.06 -0.08
IV 0.29 0.15 P
VI 0.3 0.16 A
R, From r3 vs V plots.
C, Calculated from bond length - bond strength equations.
E, Estimated.
*, Most Reliable.
M, From Metallic Oxides.
A, Ahrens (1952) Ionic radius.
P, Pauling's (1960) Crystal Radius.
Oxidation States
Main C-4, C+2, C+4
Other
Ionisation Energies (kJ mol-1) show graph
M - M+ 1086.2
M+ - M2+ 2352
M2+ - M3+ 4620
M3+ - M4+ 6222
M4+ - M5+ 37827
M5+ - M6+ 47270
Covalent Bonds (kJ mol-1)
C-H 411
C-C 348
C=C 614
CC 839
C=N 615
CN 891
C=O 745
CO 1074
Vapour Pressure
P (Pa) 1 10 100 1K 10K 100K
T (K) 2839 3048 3289 3572 3908
Crystal Structure
Structure Hexagonal close packed
a = 246.4 pm
b = 246.4 pm
c = 671.1 pm
α = 90°
β = 90°
γ = 120°