.jpg)
|
·
Copper
is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and an atomic number of 29.
·
The
word copper and its symbol Cu come from the Latin word for Cyprus
"Cuprum", where the Ancient Romans mined much of their copper.
·
Pure
copper is red-orange in color. When it is exposed to air it darkens to a
brown color and if exposed to air and water, it becomes a blue-green color
called verdigris.
·
The
only two metals used by humans before copper were gold and meteoric iron.
Copper is believed to have been in use since ancient times over 10,000 years
ago.
·
Small
amounts of copper can be found in a natural state while the metal is also
found in minerals such as cuprite, malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite and bornite.
·
Copper
is an essential nutrient to all living organisms. Copper deficiency in the
human body is as big an health issue as iron deficiency.
·
Foods
rich in copper include oysters, beef, nuts, cocoa, black pepper, lobster,
sunflower seeds, green olives, avocados, and wheat.
·
Due
to its versatility and durability, copper is referred to as "man's
eternal metal".
·
Copper
has a melting point of 1,984.28 °F (1,084.6 °C) and a boiling point of
4,643.6 °F (2,562 °C).
·
Numerous
important copper alloys have been produced over human history. Brass is a
mixture of copper and zinc, bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. While
cupronickel is a combination of copper and nickel.
·
60%
of copper is used in electrical wiring, 20% is used in roofing and household
plumbing, while 15% is used in the making of industrial machinery.
·
Copper
is used in the making of coins for a number of countries. Coins in the U.S
contain a solid copper core and layer of copper-nickel alloy.
·
Copper
is also found in TVs, radios, washers, dryers and some cookware.
·
Over
81,000 kgs (179,000 lbs) of copper was used to build The Statue of Liberty.
·
Copper
is a natural antibacterial. To prevent the spread of bacteria, brass
doorknobs and handrails are often used in public buildings.
·
Because
bacteria will not grow on it, copper has been used for centuries to line
parts of ships so that barnacles and mussels do not stick to the boats.
·
Nearly
80% of all the copper we have ever produced is still in use today due to the
fact that copper is 100% recyclable and retains 95% of its original value.
·
Copper
is a plentiful natural resource on Earth. At the current rate of extraction
there is enough copper in the top kilometer of the Earths crust to meet
demand for 5 million years.
·
A
mine in Sweden called "The Great Copper Mountain"
operated from the 10th century to 1992. It produced two thirds of Europe's
copper requirements in the 17th century.
|
