Weil 1Copper is one of the first elements known to man. Due to its distinct red color, copper is very easily identifiable. In ancient times, copper could be found in the soil in a free state, without interaction with other substances. Copper and its compounds have many uses in society today. Copper has many chemical properties that make it unique. The atomic number of copper is 29. An atomic number is a measure of the amount of protons in the nucleus of an atom. Protons are subatomic particles that have a positive charge. The atomic mass of copper is 63.546. Atomic mass is a measure of the number of neutrons and protons contained in an atom. Neutrons are subatomic particles that have no charge. So, using the atomic mass and atomic number of copper, we can determine that it contains 29 protons and 35 neutrons. Copper is a transition element and is found in the eleventh column of the periodic table. This means that it contains 11 electrons in its valence shell. A valence shell of an atom is the last shell of electrons. Copper is a metal located in period 4 of the periodic table. Other basic properties include a density of 8.96 grams/centimeters3. Density is a measure of the mass per unit volume of a substance. Copper has a melting point of 1083.3 degrees Celsius. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid. Additionally, the freezing point of copper is 2,567 degrees Celsius. The freezing point of a substance is the temperature at which a liquid turns into a solid. Copper also has many physical properties, including conductivity, malleability, ductility, and corrosion resistance. Conductivity is the ability to conduct electricity. Silver is the single best conductor of electricity, but it is too expensive. Pure copper is a better conductor of electricity than copper alloys, due to the impurities contained in the alloys. Copper is also very malleable. Malleability is the ability to be easily shaped. Copper does not break when hammered, stamped, forged or spun into unusual shapes. Copper can be shaped hot or cold. In addition to being easily shaped, copper is subject to customs duties. Ductility is the ability to be stretched into fine wires without breaking. When heated, copper becomes very...... middle of paper......its red color comes from iron. The other substance, hemocryanin, is identical to hemoglobin except that it uses copper instead of iron. It therefore has a blue color instead of red. Examples of animals that possess hemocryanin are crustaceans. Copper is very abundant in nature. Metal ranks in the upper quarter of abundant elements in the Earth's crust. A small part can also be found in sea water. Copper is in the spotlight all over the world; fifty nations exploit it today. Some include Albania, Argentina, Peru, Russia, Zambia and many others. The largest copper producers are Chile and the United States. Other major producers include Canada, Australia and Indonesia. In the United States, the main producing states are Arizona, Utah, Montana and Nevada. Copper is essential to modern society. Its uses are numerous and essential for many animals. Since the discovery of copper, it has been an integral part of industry, art and agriculture. Current uses would not be possible without discoveries made many years ago..