Copper is the 29th element in the periodic table of elements. It is a very old element, as it has been known since prehistoric times. Even though it was known of for all that time, it has only been mined for the past 5000 years. The word "copper" originated for the latin word "cuprum", meaning "from the isle of Cyprus", and isle much famed for its copper mines.Copper is a very pretty metal. It is reddish brown in color and has a very bright and shiny coating. It is very malleable and is a very good heat and electricity conductor. It is second only to silver as the best electrical conductor.
Where is it found?
While copper is often found in its native state, it is also found in many other minerals, including malachite, cuprite, bornite, azurite, and chalcopyrite. Raw copper ore deposits are known in North America, South America, and Africa. Copper can also be obtained by smelting, leaching, and electrolysis of the copper sulfides, oxides, and carbonates.
What is it used for?
Copper has many different and interesting uses, including:
- It is widely used for electrical purposes
- Copper is often used in plumbing pipes and pots and pans for cookware
- Copper is highly toxic to many animals, and is often used in algicides and pesticides
- Used in chemistry. Famous for testing Fehling's solution to test for sugar.
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