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Copper is a ductile and conductive metallic element with an orange-like color. It reacts with air to create a thin layer of oxidation, giving it a unique color. Copper is malleable and can exist in a liquid or gaseous state. It matches silver and gold to make up group 11 on the periodic table and has a natural germicidal effect. Copper can cause galvanic corrosion when in direct contact with certain metals.
Copper is a metallic element with the atomic number 29 and the scientific designation of Cu. The properties of copper make it highly ductile and conductive to both thermal and electrical attributes. It is also malleable and soft, while maintaining an orange-like colour. Uses for copper primarily include its addition in alloys for building materials and electrical wiring.
The physical properties of copper cause it to react very deeply with air, especially oxygen. This creates a thin layer of oxidation on the visible part, giving the copper its unique colouring. Pure copper without exposure to air retains a pinkish color. This copper belongs to a small metallic family, with cesium and gold, which are neither silver nor gray in colour. Copper has a tendency to reflect light without the blue/violet spectrum, causing it to fall into the red range of colors.
In addition to the solid state, copper can also exist in a liquid or gaseous state. The properties of liquefied copper make it appear green without ambient light, while bright light makes it pink. When burned in the gaseous state, copper emits a black smoke, caused by its interaction with oxygen.
One of the prevalent physical properties of copper is the fact that it matches silver and gold to make up group 11 on the periodic table of elements. Each of these elements forms metallic bonds that feature a single electron orbiting an electron shell above the nucleus. This causes group 11 metals to all be malleable and conductive.
The chemical properties of copper include a tendency to cause galvanic corrosion. When copper is put in direct contact with some metals such as iron, corrosion of water can occur on the other metal. The junction between metals acts as a battery and produces electric currents. This is extremely important in the plumbing industry where both copper and iron pipes are used to transfer water. To avoid this problem, the pipes are usually separated with a plastic or rubber fitting.
An interesting property of copper is its natural germicidal effect. Many pathogens are killed by any alloy containing more than 65 percent copper within an eight-hour period. Colder temperatures lengthen this time frame. This fact is very useful in settings such as hospitals, which are responsible for many cases of acquired infections each year. By simply covering surfaces with copper alloys, the rate of infection can be reduced.
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