Physical and Chemical Properties of Copper Research Paper

Introduction

The evidence of Archaeologists shows that copper has been in use for around 11,000 years. It is believed to be a prehistoric metal that was initially mined by an ancient race in the years 5,000 and 1,200 BC. It is easy to refine and easy to mine and the methods of extracting copper were discovered at least 7000 years ago.

The name Copper originated from Cyprus Island where the Roman Empire obtained most of it. Copper is among those few metals that naturally appear as uncompounded metal. It was used to make things like spearheads and Jewelry. The smelting of copper has been in many parts of the world. Copper is mainly established in nature and sulfur. Pure copper is mainly produced through multiple stages.

The first stage is mining and the copper sulfide minerals which are concentrated with low-grade ores, electrolytic refining, and smelting are done in order to have a pure cathode of copper. Copper today is mainly got from the ores like tenorite, covellite, bornite, malachite, cuprite, and chalcocite. Copper’s largest deposits are found in Canada, U.S, Zambia, Peru, Chile, Peru, and Zaire.

Physical and Chemical properties of copper

In this study, we will discuss the physical and chemical composition of crystals, minerals, precious metals, gemstones, and metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous rocks for geology, mineral identification, mineralogy, crystallography, and Jewelry. They include crystal formation description, the structure of the crystal, cleavage, features, and habits of crystal for the purpose of classification and identification. Copper physical properties of ductility, strength, malleability, resistance to corrosion, and wear and conductivity enable it to be a useful and versatile metal. Other physical properties include:

1. Color- it has a reddish color and when exposed to oxygen it turns to a greenish color.
2. Alloys- its alloys are Bronze and Brass
3. Minerals presence – Malachite, blue crystal, Copper Carbonate, a green semi-precious stone
4. Production- copper ores include sulfides. Its mines are underground pit mines or open.

Chemical composition: (Cu)

Cu is the atomic symbol for copper.

1. Hardness- 2.5-3
2. Element classification- Metallic
3. Specific gravity- 8.9+
4. Crystal system- isometric
5. Streak- reddish copper color.
6. Atomic number- 29
7. Tensile strength- approx. 19,000 psi
8. Atomic weight- 63.546
9. Melting point- 1,083 degrees C
10. Boiling point- 2567 degrees C

Products of Copper

Copper is very useful in the world today because it is used in so many products. Some products of copper include:

1. Wires that are used mainly by the electrical industries.
2. Coins, vacuum tubes, cathode ray tubes are other products of copper.
3. Decorated metal art, Electromagnets, magnetrons microwave ovens, copper sinks.
4. Electrical machines like generators and transformers.

Note that when copper is in powder form it can cause fire and can stain clothes and other items.

References

Kim BE, Nevitt T, Thiele DJ, Mechanisms for copper acquisition, distribution and regulation. Nat. Chem. Biol, (2008).

Noyce JO, Michels H, Keevil CW. Use of copper cast alloys to control Escherichia coli O157 cross-contamination during food processing. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. (2006).