PTL:Copper

From ChemEd Collaborative

Copper

Copper, a transition metal, is the lightest element in Group IB and is in the 4th period. The heavier members of the group are silver (Ag) and gold (Au).

1 Discovered
2 Name
3 Characteristics
4 Found
5 Prepared
6 Uses
7 Compounds
8 Minerals
9 Emission Spectra

Discovered

The discovery of copper dates from prehistoric times; it is said to have been mined for more than 5000 years.

Name

The name is derived from cuprum, which is Latin for "from the island of Cyprus" since this was the primary source of copper in the ancient world. The symbol Cu is an abbreviation of cuprum.

Characteristics

Copper is reddish-colored metal, which takes on a bright metallic luster and is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity (second only to silver in electrical conductivity). The electrical industry is one of the greatest users of copper. In the solid state, the metal has a face-centered cubic structure.

Found

Copper occasionally occurs free in nature (called native copper), particularly in the Lake Superior region in Michigan. Many early Native American artifacts such as knives, spear heads, and bracelets made from native copper have been found.

Prepared

The metal is prepared commercially in various ways. Ores containing only a small percentage of the metal are concentrated by the flotation process. The sulfide ores are roasted and then treated in a blast furnace, where copper matte is formed; in a converter similar to the Bessemer converter the molten matte becomes blister copper.

Uses

Copper is used in making wire for conducting electricity

Tin alloyed with copper forms bronze

Copper is refined by electrolysis, in which the crude copper is used as the anode and pure copper as the cathode. The metal is deposited at the cathode.

Its alloys, brass and [bronze], are very important. All American coins are copper alloys; monel and gun metals also contain copper.

Compounds

The most important compounds are the oxide and the sulfate (blue vitriol), which is used as an agricultural poison and as an algicide in water purification. Copper is present in minute amounts in the animal body and is essential to normal metabolism. It is necessary for the normal synthesis of blood pigment.

Minerals

Combined it is found in many minerals, such as malachite [Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂], azurite [Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂], cuprite (Cu₂O), chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), and bornite (Cu₅FeS₄). The most important of these compounds are sulfides, oxides, and carbonates.