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What is Copper? Origin / Meaning of the name Copper
The word 'copper'
originates from the Latin word "Cuprum" (hence the symbol Cu),
after the island of Cyprus. Cyprus was the major supplier of
copper to the Roman Empire. Copper was associated with Venus,
the goddess of love, in Roman mythology. The Romans believed
that Venus rose from the waters of Cyprus looking at herself in
a copper mirror. The association between copper and the goddess
lead to the belief that copper would attract love and protect
against evil. In alchemy, the symbol for copper was also the
symbol for the planet Venus.
What is Copper? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Copper Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States
of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Copper
is classified
as a "Transition Metal" which are located in Groups 3 - 12 of the
Periodic Table. Elements classified as
Transition Metals are generally described as ductile, malleable, and able to conduct electricity and heat.Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are
classified as metals which are detailed in the
List of Metals.
Facts about the History
and the
Discovery of the Copper
Element
Copper was discovered in
Ancient times and used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans
and Chinese. Copper was probably the very first metal mined
and crafted by man. It was believed to have been originally discovered in
the Middle East.
Copper is one of the
metals referred to as one of the 'Metals of Antiquity'. The
ancient 'Metals of Antiquity' together with their approximate
dates of discovery and use are Gold
(6000BC), Copper (9000BC), Silver
(4000BC), Lead (6400BC),
Tin (3000BC),
Iron (1500BC) and
Mercury (1500BC).
What is
Copper? Properties of Copper
A heavy metal of high luster and is an especially good conductor
of heat and electricity. Copper is a rather heavy metal of
density 8.9, and has a characteristic reddish color. It is
rather soft and is very malleable, ductile, and flexible, yet
tough and strong; it melts at 1084°. As a conductor of heat and
electrical energy it is second only to silver. For additional
facts and information refer to Copper Properties.
What is
Copper? Occurrence of Copper
The element copper has been used for various purposes since the
earliest days of history. It is often found in the metallic
state in nature, large masses of it occurring pure in the Lake
Superior region and in other places to a smaller extent. The
most valuable ores are the following:
Cuprite Cu2O.
Chalcocite Cu2S.
Chalcopyrite CuFeS2.
Bornite Cu3FeS3.
Malachite CuCO3·Cu(OH)2.
Azurite 2CuCO3·Cu(OH)2.
History of the Periodic Table
Check out the brief
History of the
Periodic Table which details dates and the names of famous
scientists and chemists who contributed to the development of
the Periodic Table.
Occurrence of the Copper Element
Copper occurs in nature to some extent in the free state, but
is usually found as a sulphide. Copper ore is easy to reduce. Obtained from chalcopyrite, coveline, chalcosine
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe
6×10-6%
% in Sun 0.00007%
% in Meteorites 0.011%
% in Earth's Crust 0.0068%
% in Oceans 3×10-7%
% in Humans 0.0001%
Medical Uses of Copper -
Health and Treatments
Interesting information is contained in the following table of Medical Uses
of Copper, Health and Treatments. Copper is used in its salt forms as an
astringent, deodorant and an antifungal.
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Medical uses of Copper - Health and Treatments |
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Medical
Disorders |
Medical
Symptoms |
Uses of
Copper & Treatments |
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Osteoporosis |
Bones to become fragile |
Multivitamins that
include minerals usually have copper. Copper is also available as an
separate oral supplement or as a topical gel or solution |
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Medical
Disorders |
Medical
Symptoms |
Uses of
Copper & Treatments |
A useful reference
providing information regarding the medical uses of Copper, associated
health issues and disorders and treatments using Copper preparations. Copper
sulfate is used as a parasiticide in aquariums and in the treatment of foot
rot in cattle.
Associated Uses of Copper
The Statue of Liberty is made of copper about the thickness of
two pennies put together. Its distinctive green color is due to
its familiar "patina" green coating which has formed on the
surface of the statue due to exposure to the elements. Other
uses include:
Copper sulfate
Hammered copper
Tubing, pipes - Plumbing
Wire
Sheets
Medicine and Health Care
Electromagnets
Watt's steam engine
Vacuum tubes
Musical instruments
Component of coins
Cookware
Cutlery |
