By Ashleigh Bareham

History of copper Copper is one of the oldest metals of mankind. It’s history traces back over 10,000 years. It was mined mainly in Cyprus in the Mediterranean in the Ancient times. The Bronze age was named after the well known copper alloy. Copper was the first metal to be mined and crafted by man. It was used for tools, weapons, art objects and ornaments.

History of Copper Copper was associated with the goddess Aphrodite/Venus due to it’s beauty, ancient use in producing mirrors and its association with Cyprus which was sacred to the goddess. Copper was used as early as 7000BC to make weapons and 5000BC to make jewellery and ornaments due to it’s colour.

Properties of Copper Copper is a reddish coloured metallic metal. It is the only other metal apart from gold that has a distinctive natural colour. It has a high electrical and thermal conductivity. The only pure metal to have higher electrical conductivity is silver. It’s atomic number is 29.

Properties of Copper Copper has a charge of 2+ and belongs to the transition metals. It is ductile. It is easily mixed with other metals to form alloys such as bronze (copper and tin) and brass (copper and zinc). It is one of the few metals to occur naturally as an uncompounded mineral.

Extraction of Copper Copper is extracted from Copper sulphide via heat. This is the most traditional method of extraction. This method of thermal decomposition uses a lot of energy and releases toxic sulphur dioxide into the air. Copper (II) sulphide    copper  +  sulphur CuS(s)                           Cu(s)       +    SO2(g) heat dioxide

Pure copper is extracted via electrolysis. When electricity is passed through the cell copper is dissolved at the anode by oxidation, Cu2+ ions go into the solution. At the cathode, copper is deposited by reduction. As copper ions move from the anode to the cathode the anode gets smaller as the cathode gets bigger. This is called a redox reaction.

Uses of Copper Copper is very uncorrosive so doesn’t rust easily. However, when it does rust, copper turns a blue-green colour. The statue of liberty is made out of copper. Copper is also used for water pipes due to the fact that it doesn’t corrode easily.

Uses of Copper Copper is also used in currency. In 1908 – 1992, the American penny was 95% copper. It is also used in computer chips, integrated circuit boards and printed circuit boards.

Uses of Copper The two radioactive isotopes of copper are used in health care. Copper-64 is used to study brain function. Copper-67 is used in cancer treatment by injecting the isotopes into the patient. They then give off radiation that can kill the cancer cells.