Copper
🔌 In Your World
Copper is one of the most important metals for modern society. Its excellent ability to conduct electricity makes it the primary material for electrical wiring in homes, electronics, and power grids. It's also used extensively in plumbing and roofing due to its durability and corrosion resistance. Copper is also the main component of many alloys, including brass and bronze, and is used to make coins.
📖 The Discovery Story
Copper is one of the few metals to occur naturally in a directly usable metallic form, so it has been known since ancient times. Its use marks the end of the Stone Age and the beginning of the Copper Age and later the Bronze Age. The name "copper" and the symbol Cu come from the Latin word cuprum, which itself comes from aes Cyprium, meaning "metal of Cyprus," as the island of Cyprus was a major source of copper in the Roman era.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 1084.62 °C / 1984.32 °F |
| Boiling Point | 2562 °C / 4643 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 3d¹⁰4s¹ |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.0068% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Copper is an essential trace mineral for all living things, including humans. However, like many metals, it can be toxic in large quantities. Inhaling high concentrations of copper dust or fumes can cause metal fume fever, an flu-like illness.