Copper

We explain what copper is and what properties this element has. Also, its various uses and applications.

What is copper?

Copper is a metallic chemical element represented by the symbol Cu (its name comes from Latin cuprumin turn coming from the Greek kypros) and atomic number 29, which together with gold, silver and roentgenium make up the so-called copper family from the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements.

Copper is a transition metal, shiny and reddish in color, characterized by being one of the best known conductors of electricity (after silver). If we add to this his lightness, high malleability, ductility and economical price we will have one of the most suitable elements for the manufacture of tools, electrical and electronic parts, and many other devices for industrial uses.

This is why copper was one of the first elements to be used by prehistoric humans who discovered its usefulness in alloy with tin, so much so that the Chalcolithic or Eneolithic period (ranging from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age) of human history is called the Copper Age.

Copper is an extremely abundant element in nature which plays a vital role in the photosynthetic processes of plants, as well as in cellular, nervous, bone and immune maintenance in vertebrate animals.

It is found in foods such as shellfish and crustaceans, legumes, nuts or organ meats, so its dietary deficiency (which causes the so-called Wilson's Disease) is not common.

Properties of copper

Copper has the following physical-chemical properties:

• It has a bright reddish color, except in alloys with other metals. When exposed to air, it appears salmon red, until a layer of cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) violet in color. It may eventually blacken as cupric oxide (CuO) forms.
• It has enormous thermal and electrical conductivity, second only to silver (Ag). It is also resistant to corrosion and oxidation. It does not respond well to magnetic forces or fields (it is diamagnetic).
• It is economical and can be recycled indefinitely. It is extremely ductile and malleable, so it can be easily machined to make thin sheets or threads since it is a soft metal.
• When exposed to moisture for a long time, it forms an impermeable layer of cupric carbonate (CuCO₃) greenish in color, which is extremely toxic. It also forms a patina called verdigris (a mixture of copper acetates) that usually covers the statues and is extremely poisonous.
• Despite being a trace element necessary for life, excessive copper intake can also lead to internal damage and death.

Uses and applications of copper

Copper is the third most consumed metal in the world today after iron and aluminum, since its applications in the electrical, electronic and steel industries are very numerous. Some of the most common uses are:

• Electrical, electronics and telecommunications Copper is used as an electrical conductor in the manufacture of electrical and coaxial cables, as well as inside generators, motors and electrical transformers. In addition, integrated circuits and numerous components of contemporary computer systems require copper for their manufacture.
• Transport Many motor vehicles require copper for their parts and spare parts, such as radiators, brakes and bearings, in addition to the necessary wiring for electrical components. It is also used in alloys to make parts of the hull of ships.
• Manufacture of coins. Most of the world's currencies are made of copper in various alloys with nickel, tin and other metals, such as aluminum or bronze.
• Construction and decoration Due to their resistance to corrosion, copper and brass are used instead of traditional lead in most water pipes, both in residential and industrial or commercial applications. This is because lead is harmful to health and copper is a common architectural material. It is also used for doorknobs, statues in squares, church bells and for a wide segment of the construction sector.
• Alloys and byproducts Copper also serves as an input in the production of other more specific metals, such as brass (Cu + Zn), bronze (Cu + Sn), nickel silver (Cu + Ni + Zn), or in the production of wire rod, electric batteries, etc.