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Copper is one of the most versatile and valuable metals on Earth. This precious metal has been used for centuries to create coins, jewelry, tools, and more. It is in the food we eat and in the beautiful CopperSmith White Hoods in our kitchens. Yet, many people do not recognize how large a role copper plays in our world. Here are ten facts about this precious metal that you may never have known.
1. Copper is named after the island of Cyprus.
The Mediterranean Island of Cyprus is not just beaches and sunshine. It has an interesting history and contains some of the richest copper ore deposits in the world. In the ancient Roman era, copper was primarily mined in Cyprus. Hence, the metal was known as aes Cyprium, meaning ‘copper from Cyprus’. This name was later shortened to cuprum, from which the English name copper was derived.
2. The average adult needs 900 mcg of copper a day.
Copper is a trace element that is essential to human life. It is used for the formation of blood vessels and helps your body to generate energy. It is also important for maintaining the normal function of the nervous system and plays a role in growth and development. Eating a diet rich in copper can help to maintain proper levels of this important mineral in the body.
3. Copper is one of the oldest known metals in the world.
The first use of copper is believed to date back as far as 9,000 BCE. It has been used by humans for thousands of years to make everything from jewelry to tools and even plumbing. Much like gold, pure copper was originally used for its aesthetic qualities. Later, metallurgists discovered how to create copper alloys to improve the strength and versatility of the material.
4. Many common materials are alloys of copper.
You may think that brass, bronze, and nickel silver are completely different metals, but they are all copper alloys. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc while bronze is an alloy of copper, tin, and zinc. Therefore, they have similar strengths and properties. Another material that few people know contains copper is rose gold. The reddish hue of copper is responsible for imparting the desirable pink color of rose gold.
5. Copper has a unique natural color.
Most metals on the periodic table are shades of gray or silver. Copper, however, has a distinctive orange-red hue. The only other metal on the periodic table that has a vibrant color is gold. While copper is red when freshly mined, it gradually oxidizes over time to form a patina. This can be a variety of colors including green, blue, and purple depending on the environment around the metal.
6. Octopuses have blue blood because of copper.
The blue color of an octopus’s blood comes from the presence of a hemocyanin molecule that contains copper ions. In ocean environments with low oxygen and low temperature, the copper-based protein is better at transporting oxygen than the hemoglobin found in human blood. The blood is blue because the copper compounds change color when they are oxygenated.
7. Copper has antibacterial properties.
Copper vessels were used to store water in ancient Egypt and India as their natural properties kept the water fresh and free from algae. Research has shown that copper can kill harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella typhimurium. Hence, copper is being researched for numerous healthcare and medical applications. For instance, they are often used for high-contact surfaces in hospitals such as handrails and faucets.
8. The Statue of Liberty wears copper.
The Statue of Liberty is a well-known landmark, but few people know that it is clad in a layer of copper. The statue was brown like a penny when it was first made but developed a green patina after exposure to air and sea spray. Some officials even suggested painting over the patina in an attempt to prevent the statue from changing color. Today, the iconic green patina is part of the statue’s character.
9. Sixty percent of copper in the world is used for electrical wiring.
This is because it is a highly conductive metal surpassed only by silver. It is also thermal-resistant which means that it is safer to use than most other metals. Copper is ductile, allowing it to bend and flex easily without breaking or using its electrical conductivity. For these reasons, copper is widely used in electrical systems in homes and other buildings.
10. Copper can be recycled.
Copper is one of the few recyclable materials that retains all its original qualities and properties after being recycled. It is estimated that two-thirds of the 690 million tons of copper mined over the past century are still being put to good use today. This extends the lifecycle of copper as a material and makes it a more sustainable choice than some other metals that have to be mined from limited supplies.
Copper has many unique properties and is used in a wide range of applications. From plumbing to electronics to jewelry, there is hardly an aspect of modern life that does not include some form of copper. The next time you encounter this incredible metal, take a moment to appreciate everything it can do!
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