Copper
KOP-er
Copper is a reddish orange metal that has the atomic number 29 in the periodic table. It is a Transition metal and located in Group 11 of the periodic table. It has the symbol Cu.
Copper (Cu) is a soft and malleable metal that has a high thermal and electrical conductivity. It unlike a lot of transition metals is a pinkish-orange. It has a wide range of uses but mainly as an electrical conductor and building material due to its strength and cheap cost. Copper is one of the few metals on earth that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust. Due to its relative abundance in the earth’s crust it has been widely used by humans for many years. It was first used around 8000BC an lead to the creation of Bronze when it was smelted with tin around 3500BC. The name Copper stems from the Old English Coper which can trace its derivation back to the Latin Cuprum. Copper salts are widely used in industry such as copper sulphate a light blue solution or copper oxide either a black or green powder dependent on its oxidation state. Copper has a lot of uses in biological compounds found in enzymes and blood. It also has a use in antimicrobial applications to kill bacteria. It is located in Group 11 and it has a melting point of 1084°c and a boiling point of 2562°c being a solid metal at room temperature.
FAQ's
Known to the ancients.
9000 BC
Uses
Most often used as an electrical conductor. Also used in the manufacture of water pipes. Its alloys are used in jewelry and for coins.
Sources
Pure copper occurs rarely in nature. Usually found in sulfides as in chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), coveline (CuS), chalcosine (Cu2S) or oxides like cuprite (Cu2O).
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
Cu
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