No. Carbon is a nonmetal, classified as a reactive nonmetal on the periodic table.

How many protons does carbon have?

Carbon has 6 protons. Its atomic number is 6, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of carbon.

What group and period is carbon in?

Carbon is in group 14 and period 2 of the periodic table, in the p-block.

What is the atomic mass of carbon?

The atomic mass of carbon is 12.011 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 6

Carbon (C)

Reactive nonmetal · Period 2 · Group 14 · p-block

Carbon (C) is element 6 of the periodic table, a reactive nonmetal in period 2, group 14 (p-block) with an atomic mass of 12.011 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 6
Symbol: C
Atomic mass: 12.011 u
Category: Reactive nonmetals
Period: 2
Group: 14
Block: p-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p2
Shorthand configuration: [He] 2s2 2p2
Electrons per shell: 2, 4
Oxidation states: -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4

Physical properties

Melting point: 3,823 K (3,549.85 °C)
Boiling point: 4,098 K (3,824.85 °C)Carbon sublimes at ordinary pressure; the melting point applies only under high pressure.
Density: 2.267 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 2.55
Atomic radius: 67 pm
Covalent radius: 76 pm
Van der Waals radius: 170 pm
First ionization energy: 1087 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 122 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Carbon: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
C-12	12	98.93%	Stable
C-13	13.00335	1.07%	Stable

Common uses

Steel production
Fuels
Plastics
Diamonds
Carbon fiber

Discovery

Discovered by: Known since antiquity
Country: Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Is carbon a metal?: No. Carbon is a nonmetal, classified as a reactive nonmetal on the periodic table.
How many protons does carbon have?: Carbon has 6 protons. Its atomic number is 6, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of carbon.
What group and period is carbon in?: Carbon is in group 14 and period 2 of the periodic table, in the p-block.
What is the atomic mass of carbon?: The atomic mass of carbon is 12.011 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Carbon's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.