Copper
Cu
Description
Copper (Cu) is a versatile transition metal known for its distinct reddish-orange metallic luster. It was likely the first metal ever manipulated by humans, marking the transition from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age. Today, it is an indispensable material in modern infrastructure due to its unparalleled electrical and thermal properties.
Crystallographic Structure
For physics simulations and structural analysis, copper serves as a primary reference for the Face-Centered Cubic (FCC) system. This arrangement allows for high atomic density and contributes to the metal's excellent ductility.
- Crystal System: Cubic (FCC)
- Lattice Parameter: a = 3.6147 Å at room temperature.
- Coordination Number: 12
- Atomic Packing Factor (APF): 0.74
- Slip Systems: Copper has 12 primary slip systems ({111} planes in <110> directions), which explains why it can be drawn into extremely fine wires without breaking.
Properties
Atomic & Physical Properties
Copper is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal. It belongs to Group 11 of the periodic table, alongside silver and gold, sharing their characteristic high conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
- Atomic Number: 29
- Atomic Mass: 63.546 u
- Melting Point: 1,085°C
- Boiling Point: 2,562°C
- Density: 8.96 g/cm³
Applications
- Electrical Wiring: Used in almost all residential and industrial wiring, motors, and transformers.
- Electronics: Essential for printed circuit boards (PCBs), microprocessors, and electromagnetic shielding.
- Alloys: Acts as the base metal for Bronze (copper-tin) and Brass (copper-zinc).
- Renewable Energy: A critical component in electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines, requiring significantly more copper than traditional combustion engines or fossil fuel plants.
Unit Cell Axes
a=3.61 b=3.61 c=3.61
Unit Cell Angles
α=90° β=90° γ=90°
Lattice Type
fcc
Grid Expansion
Appearance
Coordination