Types of metals - Part 2 - Facts on Copper for kids

Copper has been around since the Ancient times and have many uses. It can be used to make coins or even in electrical appliances.  Their alloys are bronze and brass.  Do you remember what an alloy is?  That is right, if metals are 'mixed' together to form a new type of metal.

The word copper and its symbol Cu come from the Latin word for Cyprus "Cuprum", where the Ancient Romans mined much of their copper. 

If you have pure copper, it will have a reddish gold colour, but if it is exposed to air, it will turn a darker brown and if you leave it in water and air for a while, it will turn green.  This is called 'verdigris'.

Copper has been around for more than 10 000 years and the only metals used before copper were gold and iron.

Copper is a nutrient that is found in all living organisms and just as an iron deficiency (too little) can make you feel sick, so can a deficiency of copper.

Foods rich in copper include oysters, beef, nuts, cocoa, black pepper, lobster, sunflower seeds, green olives, avocados, and wheat. 

Copper is used in creating different alloys that can be used by humans - brass is formed from copper and zinc, bronze is copper and tin and cupronickel is a combination of copper and nickel.

Many countries use copper in their coins and it is also found in electrical wiring, washing machines and cooking ware, as well as in TVs and radios.

More than 81 000 kg of copper were used to build the Statue of Liberty. 

No bacteria will grow on copper, which means it is anti bacterial, it is therefore a good idea to use copper door knobs in public places so that germs will not be spread.  Another good thing about copper is that it can be recycled and therefore used over and over,

There is a lot of copper on Earth and this is a resource that will not easily get used up.