Copper: Difference between revisions
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{{Elem_Infobox | {{Elem_Infobox | ||
|elName= Copper | |elName= Copper | ||
|elMass= 63.55 | |elMass= 63.55 | ||
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|no3= | |no3= | ||
|no4= | |no4= | ||
|properties= | |properties= Reddish color,, malleable, ductile, lustrous metal. Good conductor of electricity. | ||
|compounds= | |compounds= | ||
|uses= | |uses= Construction, electrical transmission, industry, coinage, jewelry | ||
|hazard= | |hazard= | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Copper''' is a [[ | |||
'''Copper''' is a [[Chemical elements|chemical element]], having the [[chemical symbol]] Cu. Its [[atomic number]] (the number of [[proton]]s) is 29. It has a [[Atomic mass#Standard atomic weights of the elements|standard atomic weight]] of 63.546 g•mol<sup> −1</sup>, and is a [[solid]] in its elemental form. | |||
Copper is considered to be a member of the "Transition metal" class of element. At a [[pressure]] of 101.325 k[[Pascal (unit)|Pa]], it has a [[boiling point]] of 2,562 °[[Celsius (unit)|C]], and a [[melting point]] of 1,084.6 °C. | |||
It is a naturally occurring [[mineral]], mainly be found as [[copper ore]] in large deposits relatively close to the earth's surface. The abundance of copper ore and its availability have meant that the copper has been one of humanity's most useful metals. | |||
Copper has such properties as malleability and ductility, meaning it is easy to mould. The use of copper by humans in creating tools marked the beginning of the [[Bronze Age]]. It is also a good conductor of [[electricity]], and is used for [[electrical transmission]] wires. Another major industrial use of copper is in [[construction]]. Alloys of copper such as [[brass]] and [[bronze]] are used in jewelry-making and coins. | Copper has such properties as malleability and ductility, meaning it is easy to mould. The use of copper by humans in creating tools marked the beginning of the [[Bronze Age]]. It is also a good conductor of [[electricity]], and is used for [[electrical transmission]] wires. Another major industrial use of copper is in [[construction]]. Alloys of copper such as [[brass]] and [[bronze]] are used in jewelry-making and coins. | ||
Copper, found as a pure metal, is relatively rare in nature. It is usually found in compounds such as [[azurite]], [[bornite]] and [[malachite]], in [[sulfides]] such as [[chalcopyrite]] (CuFeS<sub>2</sub>), [[coveline]] (CuS), [[chalcosine]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>S) or [[oxides]] like [[cuprite]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>O). Copper is extracted from these compounds by [[smelting]], [[leaching]] and by [[electrolysis]]. | Copper, found as a pure metal, is relatively rare in nature. It is usually found in compounds such as [[azurite]], [[bornite]] and [[malachite]], in [[sulfides]] such as [[chalcopyrite]] (CuFeS<sub>2</sub>), [[coveline]] (CuS), [[chalcosine]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>S) or [[oxides]] like [[cuprite]] (Cu<sub>2</sub>O). Copper is extracted from these compounds by [[smelting]], [[leaching]] and by [[electrolysis]]. | ||
Revision as of 13:56, 20 April 2011
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Copper is a chemical element, having the chemical symbol Cu. Its atomic number (the number of protons) is 29. It has a standard atomic weight of 63.546 g•mol −1, and is a solid in its elemental form.
Copper is considered to be a member of the "Transition metal" class of element. At a pressure of 101.325 kPa, it has a boiling point of 2,562 °C, and a melting point of 1,084.6 °C.
It is a naturally occurring mineral, mainly be found as copper ore in large deposits relatively close to the earth's surface. The abundance of copper ore and its availability have meant that the copper has been one of humanity's most useful metals.
Copper has such properties as malleability and ductility, meaning it is easy to mould. The use of copper by humans in creating tools marked the beginning of the Bronze Age. It is also a good conductor of electricity, and is used for electrical transmission wires. Another major industrial use of copper is in construction. Alloys of copper such as brass and bronze are used in jewelry-making and coins.
Copper, found as a pure metal, is relatively rare in nature. It is usually found in compounds such as azurite, bornite and malachite, in sulfides such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), coveline (CuS), chalcosine (Cu2S) or oxides like cuprite (Cu2O). Copper is extracted from these compounds by smelting, leaching and by electrolysis.