Copper: An Essential and Recyclable Metal

Reddish and Ductile Metal.

Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a reddish, extremely ductile metal that belongs to the group 11 of the periodic table. Copper is one of the few metals that can be found in the free metallic state in nature. Copper was first used by Neolithic humans as a substitute for stone around 8000 BCE¹.

Properties and Uses of Copper

Copper has many desirable properties that make it suitable for various applications. Some of these properties are:

• Electrical conductivity: Copper is an unusually good conductor of electricity and heat. It is widely used in electrical wiring, cables, motors, generators, and transformers.
• Corrosion resistance: Copper forms a thin layer of oxide on its surface when exposed to air, which protects it from further oxidation and corrosion. This makes copper suitable for making pipes, valves, fittings, and coins.
• Malleability and ductility: Copper can be easily hammered into thin sheets or drawn into thin wires without breaking. This makes copper useful for making jewelry, utensils, and art objects.
• Alloying ability: Copper can be alloyed with other metals to increase its strength, hardness, or resistance to wear and corrosion. Some important copper alloys are brasses (copper and zinc), bronzes (copper and tin), and nickel silvers (copper, zinc, and nickel).
• Biological role: Copper is one of the few trace metals that is essential for all species. It is involved in various biochemical processes, such as oxygen transport, energy production, and antioxidant defense. Copper is also important for human health, as it helps catalyze hemoglobin formation³.

History and Production of Copper

Copper was first isolated in 1735 by Swedish chemist Georg Brandt by reducing copper oxide with charcoal². However, copper was known and used long before that by various civilizations around the world. The name copper comes from the Latin word cuprum, which means "metal of Cyprus", as Cyprus was a major source of copper for the ancient Romans.

The main source of copper is copper ores, such as chalcocite, chalcopyrite, bornite, cuprite, malachite, and azurite. These ores are mined in various countries around the world, such as Chile, Peru, China, and the United States. The ores are then refined into pure copper by various methods, such as smelting, leaching, and electrolysis.

Copper is one of the most widely used metals in the world, with applications ranging from electrical and electronic devices to construction and plumbing materials to coins and jewelry. Copper is also an environmentally friendly metal, as it can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality or properties.

Copper is a reddish and ductile metal that has many benefits for human society and the environment. By recycling copper, we can reduce our dependence on nonrenewable resources and conserve energy.

Source:

(1) Copper - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper.

(2) Copper - Element information, properties and uses | Periodic Table. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/29/copper.

(3) Copper | Uses, Properties, & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/copper.

Image Attribution: Tangerineduel, Antique French copper fish pan with lid, CC BY-SA 4.0

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