How is copper useful to us?

After gold, copper was the first metal to be discovered by man. History reveals that it was used by the man in stone age. It is found in nature in solid or granule form and it is possible that it was discovered in this state only. Man had started using copper instruments, weapons and ornaments around 6000 B.C By 4000 B.C.
the mining of copper had begun. For thousands of years copper was the only metal used by him. Later, when he came to know that bronze, an alloy of copper, Zinc and tin is harder than copper, it was used for making utensils, weapons and ornaments.
Copper is a metal of red colour. Native copper is found in small quantities. Most of it occurs in the combined state as sulphides, carbonates, silicates and oxides. Copper pyrite is its most important ore. About 50% of the world's supply of copper comes from copper pyrite.
During the last hundred years the use of copper has increased tremendously. Large quantities of copper are used by the electrical industry for making wires, because of its softness and tenacity. It is a very good conductor of electricity and heat. Thousands of tons of copper is used all over the world for making electric wires every year. This is also used for making motor and dynamo coils. Copper coins have been long in vogue throughout the world.
Copper easily makes alloy with other metals. Bronze and brass are its main alloys. Bronze contains 90% copper, 4% tin and the remaining 6% zinc, glass and nickel. Brass has 70% copper and 30% zinc. Both these alloys are very useful. Many varieties of utensils, as well as items of industrial use, are made of these two alloys. Copper also makes an alloy with aluminium which is called aluminium bronze.
Copper makes many compounds with other elements too. All its compounds are poisonous and hence they are used as insecticides. Copper has become so useful that every country has been trying to increase its production. You will be surprised to know that its production rose to approximately 6.5 million tons in 1970 from about 4.1 million tons in 1961. The usefulness of copper can be guessed from it.