Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high electrical and thermal conductivity. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a reddish-orange color. Copper is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, as a building material, and as a constituent of various metal alloys, such as sterling silver used in jewelry, cupronickel used to make marine hardware and coins, and constantan used in strain gauges and thermocouples for temperature measurement.
Copper is one of the oldest metals ever used and has been used for various purposes for thousands of years. In the Roman era, copper was principally used for coinage. When bronze replaced copper as a coinage metal in the Byzantine Empire, the Byzantine party in Anatolia continued to use copper coins. By medieval times, alchemists understood that a basic copper sulfate (known as vitriol) could be produced by heating copper in sulfuric acid. This compound was then used to produce other copper compounds.
Today, copper is almost exclusively used in electrical wiring and infrastructure components. It is a good conductor of electricity and heat and is relatively inexpensive and abundant, making it an ideal choice for electrical wiring. Copper is also used in the production of many everyday items, including coins, cookware, wire, pipes, and decorative items. Since copper does not corrode or rust, it is especially useful for outdoor applications.
Copper also plays an important role in human nutrition. It is an essential nutrient, meaning that the body needs copper to survive. Copper helps the body to form red blood cells, absorb iron, and keep bones, blood vessels, and nerves healthy. The recommended daily allowance for copper is 900 μg for adults.
In some industrial settings, copper is even used to produce energy. Copper sulfide ore is sometimes used in the production of hydroelectricity and in the process of smelting metal from ore. In areas where copper sulfide ore is plentiful, it is sometimes processed using pyrometallurgy, which involves partially melting the copper sulfide ore and separating the copper out of it.
Copper is also used in the production of alloys, as it can be combined with other metals to produce strong and durable materials with specialized properties. In the building industry, copper alloys are used to make plumbing pipes that won’t corrode, as well as strong, lightweight components for the aerospace industry. Copper is also essential in the production of jewelry and coins, as it is malleable and ductile, and can be molded into intricate shapes.
Overall, copper has been used in many different ways throughout history and continues to be an important metal both economically and socially today. As one of the most abundant and economically important metals, you can expect to see copper in many different settings for many years to come.
