Copper
VS.
Lead
Christine L., Ashley M., & Emily D.
Facts
General
Copper
Name: Copper/Cuprum
Symbol: Cu
Atomic Mass: 63.5463 amu
Atomic Number: 29
Element Category: Transitional Metal
Group, Period, Block: 11, 4, d
Electronic Configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6
3s2 3p6 3d10 4s1
Valence Electrons: 1
Lead
Name: Lead/Plumbum
Symbol: Pb
Atomic Mass: 207.21 amu
Atomic Number: 82
Element Category: Post-Transition Metal
Group, Period, Block: 14, 6, p
Electronic Configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6
3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 5s2 4d10 5p6 6s2
4f14 5d10 6p2
Valence Electrons: 4
Facts
Atomic Properties
Copper
Proton #: 29
Neutron #: 35
Electron #: 29
Atomic Radius: 128 picometres
Electronegativity: 1.90 (Pauling Scale)
Oxidation States: +1, +2, +3, +4
Isotopes: Cu has two stable: 63Cu and
65Cu
Radioisotopes: Longest lived
radioisotope, 67Cu, has a half-life of 61.8
hours.
Lead
Proton #: 82
Neutron #: 125
Electron #: 82
Atomic Radius: 175 picometres
Electronegativity: 2.33 (Pauling Scale)
Oxidation States: 4, 2, -4
Isotopes: 4 are naturally occuring and
stable: 204Pb, 206Pb, 207Pb and 208Pb.
Radioisotopes: Longest lived
radioisotope, 205Pb, has a half-life of
15.3 million years .
“Electronegativity is a property that describes the ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in
a covalent bond.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronegativity)
Facts
Physical Properties
Copper
Malleable: Yes
Electrically Conductive: Highly,
0.596 106/cmΩ
Colour: Pinkish/Peachy when first cut
tarnishes to reddish, orangish, or
brownish color when reacted with gases
(oxygen), end result is green.
Density: 8.94 g/cm3
Melting Point: 1084.62 °C
Boiling Point: 2562 °C
Lead
Malleable: Highly
Electrically Conductive: Poor,
0.0481 106/cmΩ
Colour: Bright and silvery when freshly cut
but the surface rapidly tarnishes in air to dull
bluish gray colour
Density: 11.34 g/cm3
Melting Point: 327.46 °C
Boiling Point: 1749 °C
* Ω (Ohm) is the SI unit of electrical resistance *
Facts
Chemical Properties
Copper
Reacts with Oxygen: Yes, forms
a layer of copper oxide
Reacts with Water: No
MSDS Toxicological Properties: No
LD50/LC50 information found relating to
normal routes of occupational exposure,
not dangerous
Lead
Reacts with Oxygen: Yes, forms lead
oxide
Reacts with Water: Yes, dissolves slowly
in water
MSDS Toxicological Properties: IARC
Category: 2B (possibly carcinogenic to
humans)
IARC = International Agency for Research on Cancer
Tested Properties
Hardness
Copper
Copper was scratched by a steel nail (with
a hardness of 5.5), but not scratched by a
penny, it was the same element. A copper
penny has a hardness of 3 mohs.
Lead
Lead was scratched by all three subjects, a
fingernail has a hardness of 0.5 mohs,
therefore lead had a hardness less than 0.5
mohs.
Tested Properties
Malleability
Copper
Lead
Before
After
The lead was more malleable than the copper, it could be
flattened and reshaped just by using hand force.