Essay On Copper

Copper is a solid metal found in group 11 in the periodic table. Humans first began to use this metal over 10,000 years ago. They used it to make weapons and later also coins, water pipes and ships. The Romans and Egyptians are known to have used copper in wide ranges. Copper was used for so long because it is relatively easy to mine and extract from its ore. When it is pure, copper is a soft, red metal, however it can be hardened if other metals are mixed to it. This product is then called an alloy. The most well known copper alloys are bronze, which is made from copper and tin and brass made from copper and zinc (1). Copper alloys like these two, were discovered much later than the pure form of copper. Today, copper is widely used, but it is most important to the electrical industry to make wires and cathodes (2). Copper is a very good conductor of electricity. However, it is also used in all kinds of metal work, roofing, for coins and jewelry (3).

Copper has the main characteristics and properties of a normal metal. It is malleable, ductile and a good conductor of heat and electricity. That is why it is commonly used to make electrical wires. It is also relatively unreactive and can

But first, the ore has to react with a weak acid, for example dilute sulphuric acid to make a thin copper (II) sulphate solution. Then, the copper ions are removed from the solution by adding sulphuric acid to the reaction. This produces a more concentrated copper (II) sulphate solution. Then the copper is purified further using electrolysis. An impure copper rod serving as a anode and pure copper serving as a cathode are placed in an electrolytic cell. This electrolytic cell is filled with an acidic solution of copper sulphate (5). Then, an electrical current is passed through the electrolyte making the impure copper dissolve in the solution (5). These ions stick to the cathode and