Slides

Copper has an increasing monetary value as demand for it has grown hugely in recent years. Copper is one of the oldest and most important metals used by man. There are many industrial uses for copper as well numerous everyday applications. Copper appears as a chemical element in the periodic table with the symbol Cu. The word copper comes from the Latin word “cuprum”. Copper appears reddish in colour with a bright metallic lustre. Pure copper is soft and malleable, which means it can be formed into a thin sheet by hammering or rolling. It is also a ductile metal, which means it can be stretched into a wire. These physical characteristics have allowed humans to apply it extensively. Copper is also a good conductor of heat and electricity. In fact, it is second only to silver in electrical conductivity. If copper is mixed with other metals, alloys can be created. Cupronickel, brass and bronze are some of these alloys.