Copper
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- Date Submitted: 02/03/2010 08:19 AM
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COPPER
One of the most important metals, copper has an atomic number of 29 and symbol “Cu”. Although it’s discoverer is unknown, it is known that its date of discovery goes back to the ancient times. Israel, Egypt and Jordan were some of the earliest locations of copper smelting sites, dating back to about 4500 B.C. It’s earliest estimates are around 9000 B.C. in the Middle East. In India, artisans created copper alloy products such as icons and lamps.
Copper is usually created in volcanic areas. Although copper is found worldwide, over 90 percent of it is located in four different areas. They are the Great Basin of the western United States, Zambia, central Canada, Peru, and Chile. Antarctica also has deposits of copper in lots of places, but a temporary ban on mining was established in 1991 to last for 50 years to preserve the land. The most familiar forms of copper are pure copper, brasses and bronze. Found in nature, mostly in “impure mineral” form, copper can be produced by smelting, leaching, or by a biochemical process that uses “thiobacillus ferrooxidans”.
One historical use for copper was the copper tubing in Ancient Egypt. It looked like it was constructed like the plumbing pipes we use today. It was found in the tombs and temples of rulers. A lot of this tubing remains in great condition more than five thousand years after its first use, which is an amazing fact. This is because the copper is not as susceptible to corrosion like other metals are, which is why it is still used today for pipes. Unlike plastic, copper does not give off fumes or burn. It also has antibacterial properties that can fend off microorganisms like the ones that cause Legionnaire's disease.
Copper has a metallic redish orange color. Copper is often found in nature in compounds that form minerals such as “Malachite-CuCO(3) or Cu(OH)2”. Copper is also ductile. That means it can be drawn out into a thin wire. A bar of copper that is four inches thick can be heated up,...
One of the most important metals, copper has an atomic number of 29 and symbol “Cu”. Although it’s discoverer is unknown, it is known that its date of discovery goes back to the ancient times. Israel, Egypt and Jordan were some of the earliest locations of copper smelting sites, dating back to about 4500 B.C. It’s earliest estimates are around 9000 B.C. in the Middle East. In India, artisans created copper alloy products such as icons and lamps.
Copper is usually created in volcanic areas. Although copper is found worldwide, over 90 percent of it is located in four different areas. They are the Great Basin of the western United States, Zambia, central Canada, Peru, and Chile. Antarctica also has deposits of copper in lots of places, but a temporary ban on mining was established in 1991 to last for 50 years to preserve the land. The most familiar forms of copper are pure copper, brasses and bronze. Found in nature, mostly in “impure mineral” form, copper can be produced by smelting, leaching, or by a biochemical process that uses “thiobacillus ferrooxidans”.
One historical use for copper was the copper tubing in Ancient Egypt. It looked like it was constructed like the plumbing pipes we use today. It was found in the tombs and temples of rulers. A lot of this tubing remains in great condition more than five thousand years after its first use, which is an amazing fact. This is because the copper is not as susceptible to corrosion like other metals are, which is why it is still used today for pipes. Unlike plastic, copper does not give off fumes or burn. It also has antibacterial properties that can fend off microorganisms like the ones that cause Legionnaire's disease.
Copper has a metallic redish orange color. Copper is often found in nature in compounds that form minerals such as “Malachite-CuCO(3) or Cu(OH)2”. Copper is also ductile. That means it can be drawn out into a thin wire. A bar of copper that is four inches thick can be heated up,...