My Saved Article
| Atomic Number: | 29 | Atomic Symbol: | Cu | | Atomic Weight: | 63.546 | Electron Configuration: | 2-8-18-1 | | Shells: | 2,8,18,1 | Filling Orbital: | 3d10 | | Melting Point: | 1083oC | Boiling Point: | 2567oC | | Uses: | electrical conductor, pennies |
History(Latin cuprum , from the island of Cyprus) It is believed
that copper has been mined for 5,000 years.
PropertiesCopper is reddish and takes on a bright metallic luster. It
is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity (second only
to silver in electrical conductivity). .
SourcesCopper occasionally occurs native, and is found in many minerals
such as cuprite, malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite, and bornite.
Large copper ore deposits are found in the U.S., Chile, Zambia, Zaire, Peru,
and Canada. The most important copper ores are the sulfides, the oxides, and
carbonates. From these, copper is obtained by smelting, leaching, and by
electrolysis.
UsesThe electrical industry is one of the greatest users of copper
Iron's alloys, brass and bronze, are very important: all American coins are
copper alloys and gun metals also contain copper. Copper has wide use as an
agricultural poison and as an algicide in water purification. Copper compounds,
such as Fehling's solution, are widely used in analytical chemistry tests for
sugar.
AvailabilityHigh-purity copper (99.999+ percent) is available
commercially
|
|
|