Scientific Properties of Copper
Update March 2010 - These pages are being updated, they will be filled with further detailed research material, so please check again in April
Name, Symbol, Number: Copper, Cu, 29
Atomic Mass: 63.546 g/mol
Density (near r.t): 8.933 grams per cubic cm
Melting Point: 1357.77 K (1084.62 C or 1984.32 F)
Boiling Point: 2835 K (2562 C or 4644 F)
Number of Protons/Electrons: 29
Number of Neutrons: 35
Heat of Fusion: 13.26kJ/mol
Heat of Vaporisation: 300.3 kJ/mol
Flammability Class: Non-combustible solid (except as dust)
Description: Reddish orange transition metal
Copper is a ductile metal with excellent electrical conductivity, and finds extensive use as an electrical conductor, thermal conductor, as a building material, and as a component of various alloys. Pure copper occurs rarely in nature. Usually copper found in such minerals as azurite, malachite and bornite and in sulfides as in chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), coveline (CuS), chalcosine (Cu2S) or oxides like cuprite (Cu2O). Copper is obtained by smelting, leaching and by electrolysis. Annual world production is around 6,540,000 tons. Primary mining areas are in USA, Zaire, Zambia, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Russia and Australia.
Energy Level 1: 2 electons
Energy Level 2: 8 electrons
Energy Level 3: 18 electrons
Energy level 4: 1 electron
Copper is a very interesting element. It is one of the transition elements that actually uses electrons from one of the inner orbitals in chemical reactions. In addition, it has more than one oxidation state. Like many of the transition elements, copper has a colored ion. Copper typically forms a bluish green solution. Copper (Cu) has two valences Cu I (cuprous) has one valence electron and Cu II (cupric) has two valence electrons. In nature it has two isotopes, 63 (69.09%), which has 29 electrons and protons and 34 neutrons, and 65 (30.91%), which has 29 electrons and protons and 36 neutrons. Brass and bronze are are two of many alloys of copper.