What is Copper? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts

What is Copper?

Copper is the 1st element in the 11th column of the periodic table. It is classified as a transition metal. The copper atom has 29 electrons and 29 protons with 34 neutrons in the most abundant isotope. Copper was one of the first metals used by man.

Characteristics and Properties

Under normal conditions, copper is a soft, orange-colored metal. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat. It is also very flexible, allowing it to be easily bent and stretched into wire.

Copper is not a very reactive element, but it will react slowly with air and water. When exposed to air, it will eventually tarnish and take on a slightly brownish color. If water is also present, it will corrode to form a greenish-colored carbonate called green. This is what makes the Statue of Liberty green.

Highlights of Copper:

Where is Copper found on Earth?

Copper is found in the earth’s crust. Because copper reacts slowly, it is usually found in its pure form. This is how many ancient cultures were able to take advantage of the metal. Today, most copper is mined from minerals such as copper sulfide or copper carbonate.

Global copper demand has increased significantly in recent years. This causes an increase in the price of copper. Fortunately, copper is 100% recyclable and a large percentage of copper comes from recycling every year. The top producer of mined copper is Chile, which produces about 33% of the world’s mined copper.

How is Copper used today?

Copper is mainly used in its metal form. About 60% of the copper produced is used for wiring and cables. Copper is an excellent material for making electrical wires due to its electrical conductivity, ductility, corrosion resistance, low thermal expansion and tensile strength.

Copper is also used in plumbing, roofs, industrial machinery, integrated circuits (computer chips), kitchenware, coins, and electric motors. About 5% of copper is used to make metal alloys such as brass (mixed with zinc) and copper (mixed with tin).

How much Copper is in a penny?

We often think of American coins as made of copper. This is true of coins produced before 1982, when they were 95% copper and 5% zinc. Since 1982, coins have been made of 97.5% zinc and 2.4% copper. This is because copper has a higher value than coins.

How was Copper discovered?

Copper has been known since ancient times 10,000 years ago. People started smelting copper from ore around 5000 BC. The Bronze Age lasted until the Bronze Age around 3600 BC. when people learned that by mixing tin with copper, they could make copper, a harder metal.

Where did Copper get its name?

The name comes from the word “Cuprum”, which is the Latin name for the island of Cyprus. Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean where the Romans mined most of their copper. This is where the Cu symbol also comes from.

Isotopes

Copper has two stable isotopes that make up naturally occurring copper: copper-63 and copper-65.

Interesting Facts about Copper

Copper has two stable isotopes that make up naturally occurring copper: copper-63 and copper-65. Interesting facts about copper

Silver is the only element with a higher electrical conductivity than copper.

It is one of the few metals that is not gray or silver. Others are gold (yellow), cesium (yellow) and osmium (blue).

Copper sulfide compounds are used to kill fungi and algae in rivers and ponds.

The largest piece of native copper ever found weighed more than 520 tons. Most copper ore mined contains only about 1% of the metal.