Copper

Nicole Rifkin

Copper 1S2 2S2 2P6 3S2 3P6 3D10 4S1 Atomic #: 29 Atomic Mass: 63.546 amu

Copper is a lustrous, reddish-orange transition metal that is solid at room temperature. It is not only ductile, but also malleable and bendable, and therefore will adapt well to a new work environment. Copper was known by the ancients and has over 5,000 years of work experience. The Romans originally named it, and it was dubbed cuprum in Latin after the Island of Cyprus, where large amounts of this element were discovered. It is one of the transition elements that actually uses electrons from the inner orbital in chemical reactions. It won’t dissolve in water and, in its pure elemental state, forms metallic bonds. Copper can be used for an extreme variety of things, and will happily fill any position associated with electrical conducting, decorative or ornamental objects (including statues and jewelry). Copper helps support biological life, but can also be used to kill organisms. It is a miscellaneous handyman that can be used in a myriad of ways. Copper’s ideal position would be one that involves bonding with a halogen. According to normal electron patterns, its electron configuration would be [Ar] 4S2 3D9. However, copper has its own unique electron configuration, and it only has one valence electron. If it gave up that electron, it would be in its most stable state. Since they are only missing one electron, the halogens would be a perfect match for copper.
 * Objective**

Copper has been given the honor of being named the second best electrical conductor, and by far the most popular. It is an inferior conductor only to silver, which is also extremely expensive, making copper the clear choice. Copper is famous for a number of things. It makes up the statue of liberty in New York and is one of the most important elements in the American penny. It is also extremely valuable to humans not only because of its many uses, including jewelry, electrical conducting, weaponry, plumbing, etc., but also because it is an essential trace element in the human diet. Humans take in .5-.6 mg in their daily diet. In an average 70 kg human, 72 mg are copper. Anemia and neutropenia are the most common effects of copper deficiency in humans.
 * Honors and Awards**

Copper is excellent at a variety of things. As was aforementioned, it is the second best electrical conductor, and gives you the best value for the money. It is strong and durable and is an outer coating used to protect zinc from scratches or damages in the penny. It is commonly found in everyday household items such as hardware, musical instruments, guns, gears, statues, electrical wiring, plumbing, and even jewelry. It is used as an agricultural poisoning and as an algaecide (a substance that kills algae) in the water purification system. However, it is also an essential trace element necessary to life. It is commercially available and has been used for over 5,000 years, proving its reliability. Single pieces of copper, including ones used to build the statue of liberty, have endured the elements for a hundred years or more, proving copper’s durability. Overall, its experience and flexibility make it one of the most important metals used in domestic life. Zinc, “I have been combined with copper since 1982 to make the American penny, and I could not ask for a better colleague. Copper is strong and durable and compensates for my weaknesses. It is more expensive than I am, but well worth the investment. There is no other element that could do its job. In addition, I often bond with copper to create the alloy, brass. We make up a variety of things including many musical instruments, ornamental decorations, screws, and other hardware. I know from firsthand experience that copper is multitalented and can fill a variety of needs, in addition to being very strong and a hard worker.” Tin, “I have worked closely with copper for over 3,000 years to create a bronze alloy. Together, we create weapons, bells, valves and pipes, gears, and statues. Copper is cooperative in working with many different other elements, including trace elements added to bronze to achieve certain properties such as magnese, lead, and phosphorous. In addition, it constantly works with zinc and myself to create different alloys. Copper is an essential addition to these creations, and works well with his coworkers.”
 * Experience and Skills**
 * References**

- [] - [] - [] - [] - [] - []
 * Citations**