Copper (Cu)
"The Golden Guardian of Conductivity, Copper lights up our world, effortlessly channeling energy and standing strong against the ravages of time!"
A memorable persona to anchor Cu in your mind.
8.96
Grams per cm³
1084.62
Celsius (°C)
140
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
That bright penny in your pocket, the wires making your gadgets hum, or the pipes bringing water to your tap.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
Ancient
Discovered By
Unknown
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Old English name 'coper' in turn derived from the Latin 'Cyprium aes', meaning a metal from Cyprus"
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
63.546 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
2560°C
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 3d104s1
1st Ionization Energy
7.726 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"Shimmering, reddish-orange, incredibly shiny when polished, with a warm, metallic glow."
Did You Know?
Copper was one of the first metals humans ever discovered and manipulated, sparking the 'Copper Age' thousands of years ago!
It's an electrical superstar! Copper is an incredible conductor of electricity, second only to silver, making it indispensable for all our tech.
Copper has superpowers against germs! It's naturally antimicrobial, meaning it can kill bacteria and viruses on its surface.
Ever seen a green statue? Copper famously turns a cool greenish-blue (called a 'patina') over time when exposed to air and moisture, just like the Statue of Liberty!