Copper

Element	Copper
Symbol	Cu
Atomic Number	29
Molar Mass	63.55 gmol^-1
Electron Configuration	[Ar]3d¹⁰4s¹
Normal State	solid metal
Density @STP	8.93 g cm^-3
Melting Point	1084^oC
Boiling Point	2562^oC
Stable Isotopes	⁶³Cu, ⁶⁵Cu
Atomic Radius	128 pm
Ionic Radius	72 (2+) pm
Electronegativity (Pauling)	1.9
Ionization Energy (1^st)	745 kJ mol^-1
Ionization Energy (2^nd)	1958 kJ mol^-1
Ionization Energy (3^rd)	3554 kJ mol^-1
Molar Heat Capacity	24.4 J K^-1mol^-1
Standard Molar Entropy	33.2 J K^-1mol^-1
Enthalpy of Fusion	13 kJ mol^-1
Enthalpy of Vapourization	304.6 kJ mol^-1

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Copper is a red-orange soft transition metal element
Copper possibly discovered in the middle east (9000 BC)
Copper named after Cyprus, principal mining place in Roman era (Cyprium)
Copper occurs naturally as native metallic copper and was known to some of the oldest civilizations on record
The stone age, bronze age and iron age illustrates the importance of copper and early bronze alloys in human history.
Copper is soft, malleable, and ductile metal
Copper has the second highest electrical conductivity (second only to silver) among pure metals at room temperature
Copper has the second highest thermal conductivity (second only to silver) among pure metals at room temperature
Copper is one of a few metallic elements with a natural colour other than grey or silver
Copper forms a rich variety of chemical compounds, usually with oxidation states +1 and +2, (cuprous and cupric, respectively)
Copper is relatively corrosion resistant metal and surface passivation (green verdigris or patina) enhance this property
Copper has 29 isotopes, 63Cu and 65Cu are stable and the other isotopes are radioactive
Radioactive copper isotopes 62Cu and 64Cu have significant applications. 62Cu is used in 62Cu-PTSM as a radioactive tracer for positron emission tomography
Many copper alloys have been formulated, many with important uses
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc
Bronze usually refers to copper-tin alloys
Aluminium bronze is an alloy of copper-aluminium
Copper is one of the most important constituents of silver and carat gold and carat solders used in the jewelry industry
Cupronickel and nickel silver are alloys of copper-nickel
Beryllium copper
Major applications of copper are electrical wire (60%), roofing and plumbing (20%), and industrial machinery (15%)
Copper used mostly as a pure metal, but when greater strength and hardness is required, it is used in alloys like brass and bronze (5% of total use)
Copper is used for nutritional supplements and fungicides in agriculture
Copper has been used since ancient times as a durable, corrosion resistant, and weatherproof architectural material
Copper is biostatic, meaning bacteria and many other forms of life will not grow on it
Antimicrobial and anti-fouling surface properties of copper are useful for door handles, handrails, bathroom fixtures, counter tops and marine applications
Copper is an essential trace element in plants and animals
Copper compounds can be toxic

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