10 Facts about Copper

Wednesday, March 16th 2016. | Chemistry

Facts about Copper tell you about the atomic number 29 in the periodic system of element. It has the symbol Cu which stands for cuprum. It has reddish-orange color when you see the pure copper is exposed. Copper is ductile, malleable and soft. The thermal and electrical conductivity of copper is high. Here are some interesting facts about copper to note:

Facts about Copper 1: the main usage

In short, copper is mostly used for a constituent of numerous metal alloys, building material, electrical conductor and heat conductor.

Facts about Copper 2: the usage of copper for the first time

Human being used copper for the first time circa 8,000 BC. Circa 5,000 BC, human being began to smelt copper from the ore. In the nature, you can find copper in its pure form.

Copper Color

Facts about Copper 3: in a molded shape

Circa 4,000 BC, human being began to mold copper. This metal was alloyed with tin to produce bronze circa 3,500 BC.

Facts about Copper 4: the copper mining during the Roman era

The copper mining was found on Cyprus during the Roman era. There is no need to wonder that the name of this metal cuprum is always associated with Cyprus. It was derived from aes ?yprium or metal of Cyprus. Then it was called cuprum. Get facts about cesium here.

Copper Metal

Facts about Copper 5: pigments

Copper was used as pigments in the past. The minerals like turquoise, malachite and azurite contain copper which have the green and blue tones.

Facts about Copper 6: the electrical conductivity

Do you know the electrical conductivity of copper? It is 59.6×106 S/m. It is considered high. It is partly because of the copper’s softness. If you compare the thermal conductivity of copper with other pure metals located at room temperature, it is second highest one. The first highest one is silver.

Copper Mineral

Facts about Copper 7: the natural color

Copper has a unique natural color. It is included in the list of four elemental metals with natural colors like osmium, gold and caesium.

Facts about Copper 8: the reaction

Copper reacts with the atmospheric oxygen slowly. You can find the brown black copper oxide because of the reaction. If you mix it with water, it will not react. Find facts about carbon here.

Facts about Copper

Facts about Copper 9: the old construction

The old copper construction is often covered with a green layer of verdigris. It is called copper carbonate. You can see it in the Statue of Liberty.

Facts about Copper 10: the example of copper mines

The copper mines in the world are located in El Chino Mine in New Mexico, United States, Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah, United States and Chuquicamata in Chile.