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Table of Contents
Copper is a chemical element that has the atomic number 29 and the symbol Cu. It is an extremely high thermal and electrical conductivity metal that is soft, malleable, and ductile. In nature, copper can be found in its free metallic state. Pure copper has a pinkish-orange tint when it is first exposed to the air.
See the fact file below for more information on Copper, or you can download our 28-page Copper worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
BACKGROUND HISTORY AND ETYMOLOGY
- Over 10,000 years ago, man used copper for the first time. The age of a copper pendant found in what is now northern Iraq is approximately 8700 BCE. Copper has all of the uses for metals because it was the only metal known to man for approximately 5,000 years.
- The Latin word “Cyprium Aes,” which means a metal from Cyprus, was the source of the Old English name “coper,” from which the name, copper, was derived.
- Early copper artifacts were initially ornamental, then functional.
- Chile, Peru, and China are the main producers of copper.
PROPERTIES OF COPPER
- Copper is the element number 29, represented by the symbol Cu in the periodic table of elements.
- It is regarded as a semi-precious, nonferrous, malleable metal with countless uses in the fields of electrical and electronics, plumbing, building construction and architecture, business, transportation, and consumer and health items.
- With other metals, copper can be alloyed quickly. Brasses and bronzes are the two groups of copper-base alloys that are arguably the most well-known. In brasses, copper and zinc predominate. Copper is the major component of bronzes, coupled with alloying substances like tin, aluminum, silicon, or beryllium.
- Along with numerous other specialty alloys, other copper alloy families also exist. These include copper-nickel and copper-nickel-zinc alloys, also known as nickel silvers.
NATURAL RESOURCE: COPPER
- Until 2000, the United States was the world’s top copper producer; that year, Chile took the top spot. Currently, the USA supplies 8% of the world’s copper needs.
- As stated by the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency, using recycled copper leads to energy savings of 85–90% compared to producing new copper from virgin ores.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COPPER
- Copper is valued for its multitude of beneficial qualities. It’s understandable why sales of copper and brass haven’t decreased significantly in recent years. For the same reason, copper alloys prove to be quite valuable.
- Workability. Copper won’t shatter when pounded, rolled into thin sheets, or pulled into tiny wires. Copper can be worked cold in its purest form, but if it is coupled with a considerably less malleable metal, like zinc or lead, a copper sheet supplier may need to heat work it.
- Electrical/Heat Conductivity. The remarkable electrical and thermal conductivity of copper is one of its most notable characteristics. Because of its exceptional conductivity, copper makes up about 95% of all transformers, electrical wire cores, and other conductors. Copper is still chosen for electrical purposes because it is more heat resistant than silver, the only metal that is more electrically conductive than copper.
- Durability. When metals oxidize, they typically corrode. For instance, when iron is exposed to oxygen, it gradually rusts. On the other hand, copper oxidizes by forming a shield-like covering on its surface known as a patina. For millions of years, this green layer of defense can keep the interior of copper intact.
- Anti-Bacterial. Copper is one of the few metals capable of causing the oligo dynamic effect, in which copper ions damage certain proteins in single-celled organisms, ultimately killing them.
- Recyclable. Over 80% of all copper that has ever been mined and made is still in use today, and it can all be recycled. As a result, copper is regarded as one of the environmentally friendly metals.
USES OF COPPER
- More things than you probably realize are made of copper or an alloy based on copper. One factor is that copper alloys come in various colors and shades based on their composition.
- Kitchen Sink. Because of its anti-microbial qualities and typical resistance to corrosion, copper makes a fantastic choice for a kitchen sink. However, pure copper is not an option for people who dislike patina. They like copper alloys that won’t tarnish as easily, let alone acquire a patina.
- Table Tops. Copper can be made into thin sheets that are ideal for covering tables. Since these are high-touch surfaces, copper’s anti-microbial quality makes it appropriate for this application as well.
- Jewelry. Copper is a great material for accessories as well. People who cannot afford gold jewelry have worn copper jewelry instead since ancient times.
- Tools. Have you ever wondered what kind of metal your screwdrivers, pliers, and other household equipment are made of? It is obvious that they are made of copper based on the way they look. In particular, the majority of them are composed of beryllium copper, a non-magnetic, non-sparking alloy that performs well in risky work environments.
- Musical Instruments. The acoustic properties of copper alloys are highly prized, particularly brass, a copper and zinc alloy.
- Wire. Copper is the safest and most effective material for wire cores due to its great electrical conductivity. It doesn’t burn up when conducting high volts, unlike silver.
CHALCOLITHIC PERIOD
- The Neolithic, the earliest farming communities, and the Bronze Age, the first urban and literary society, are referred to collectively as the Chalcolithic period. The Greek word “Chalcolithic” roughly translates to “copper age,” and the Chalcolithic period is frequently—though not always—linked to widespread copper metallurgy.
- Northern Mesopotamia is where copper smelting most likely first emerged; the earliest sites, such as Tell Halaf in Syria, date to about 6500 BCE. The technology was known much earlier than that; around 7500 BCE, isolated copper axes and adzes were discovered at Catalhoyuk in Anatolia and Jarmo in Mesopotamia. But one of the distinguishing features of the Chalcolithic period is the extensive manufacturing of copper implements.
- Europe. The earliest reliably dated evidence of copper making, from around 7,500 years ago, was discovered in Prokuplje, Serbia, on a copper axe.
(5500 BCE). The usage of copper was much more known than the metal itself. The European Battle Axe civilization made stone axes that were modeled after copper axes and even had carved-in molding. - Bhirrana. Copper bangles and arrowheads were discovered during the early Indus civilization. Between 7000 and 3300 BCE, the people of Mehrgarh in modern-day Pakistan made tools out of the local copper ore.
- East Asia. The Yangshao period saw the gradual emergence of copper manufacturing (5000–3000 BCE). The only location where copper objects from the Banpo civilization have been discovered is Jiangzhai. From the late fourth to the early third millennia BCE, copper metallurgy remnants have been discovered in a variety of societies. These include the copper slag at the Yuanwozhen site as well as copper artifacts and copper smelting relics from the Hongshan culture (4700-2900 BCE). This suggests that by the later Yangshao period, people living in the Yellow River valley had already mastered the ability to produce copper items.
ELECTRICAL: COPPER
- The industry standard for electrical conductivity is copper. Compared to other metals except silver, it conducts electrical current the best.
- Before it is suitable for many electrical uses, copper is frequently purified to 99.98% purity.
- 160,000 pounds of copper was used to construct the Statue of Liberty. It was made by French craftsmen and came from the Visnes copper mines on Karmoy Island, close to Stavanger, Norway.
- Wherever electricity flows, connectors are required. Copper, in its many varieties, is the dominant and favored material whether conductors are used for high-current power distribution or “signal” level currents used for data and telecommunications.
- Electric power generators employ electromagnetic principles to convert mechanical energy into electric current through the use of massive copper-wound stators and rotors.
- Due to its excellent conductivity, low electrical resistance, and corrosion resistance, copper is essential in the transport of wind energy.
- A copper-wound transformer receives electricity generated by wind power through insulated copper cables. Each tower’s base emits electricity, which is collected by underground copper wires and sent to a substation, where it is sent to the utility grid.
- Copper-wound induction motors, which get their power from batteries, are used in hybrid automobiles and SUVs. The induction motors function as generators, supplying energy to be stored in the batteries and aiding in vehicle braking.
Copper Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Copper across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Copper, a chemical element that has the atomic number 29 and the symbol Cu.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Copper Facts
- Map of Copper
- Copper Matchmaker
- Copper-istics
- Copper-ware
- Copper or False
- Mines-copper
- Copper Fields
- Design a Bracelet
- Copper Twist
- The Copper in Me
Frequently Asked Questions
What is copper?
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with a reddish-orange color.
What are the uses of copper?
Copper has a wide variety of uses, including electrical wiring, roofing, coinage, and many other applications due to its high electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and unique color.
Where is copper found?
Copper is found in many parts of the world, including Chile, Peru, and the United States. It is often found in ore form, mixed with other minerals such as sulfur and oxide.
How is copper extracted from its ore?
Copper is typically extracted from its ore through a process called smelting, where the ore is heated to high temperatures in the presence of a reducing agent such as coke, and a flux such as limestone. The copper is then separated from the other minerals and metals in the ore.
Is copper a renewable resource?
No, copper is a non-renewable resource. It is mined from the earth and once it is used up, it will not be replenished. However, copper can be recycled and used again, which helps to conserve resources.
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