Copper
Copper is an essential element and has been used by humans since ancient times. Copper is a reddish-brown metal that has exceptionally high thermal and electrical conductivity making it extremely valuable in electronics, construction, coins and more. It has a soft and malleable structure and is an essential trace element in living organisms.
Copper is mined from many places around the world and has been used as a currency in countless civilizations. It is also one of the few metals that can be extracted from ores without being refined. This makes it easier to work with, and has made its affordability relative to other metals like gold and silver. For this reason, it has been used for everything from coins to art and jewellery to medical tools.
The elemental symbol for copper is Cu, which comes from the Latin word cuprum meaning metal of Cyprus. Ancient civilizations like the pharaohs in Egypt used copper to make jewellery and coins, while the Romans used copper to construct public monuments and aqueducts. Copper has also been used in various scientific applications, including the development of batteries and the electrical motor.
Copper is an element that is essential for life to exist. It is found in small quantities in basic foods like fruit, vegetables and potatoes, as well as in our bodies in the form of enzymes. This versatile element is also present in our drinking water and tea. Copper is crucial for the healthy functioning of our bodies as it is used in enzymes and red blood cells, helps strengthen our immune system, maintains our skins protection from UV rays from the sun, and enables us to extract iron from red meat.
Due to its versatility and affordability, the use of copper has grown exponentially in recent years. From decorating our homes to powering our electronic gadgets, practically everything we use nowadays has a trace of copper. This trend is likely to continue in the coming years as an increasing number of items are being produced with copper-rich components.
In nature, copper is found in combination with elements like sulphur or carbon, and its availability is increasing. It is estimated that there is around 1000 million tonnes of copper in the world, with nearly half of it in the form of scrap metal. The global demand for copper is expected to keep increasing over the next years due to its economic efficiency, affordability and widespread applications.
