Uses of CopperOxford AQA IGCSE Chemistry: Revision notes
Section 1
Why is copper used for electrical wiring?
Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity because, like all metals, it has delocalised electrons that are free to move and carry electric charge.
- Copper is also relatively cheap and available in large quantities compared with better conductors like silver
- Copper is ductile, so it can be drawn into thin wires without breaking
Section 2
Why is copper used for plumbing (pipes and tanks)?
Copper is widely used to make water pipes and tanks because of a combination of properties:
- It is a good conductor of heat, useful for hot water systems and radiators
- It can be bent into shape around corners and fittings, but is hard enough to hold that shape and support the structure of pipework
- It does not react with water, so pipes do not corrode or contaminate the water supply
Exam tip
For 'explain' questions, always give the property AND the reason it matters for the use — e.g. 'copper does not react with water, so pipes do not corrode and water stays safe to drink.'
Section 3
Summary: property to use
| Property of copper | Why it matters for this use |
|---|---|
| Good conductor of electricity | Used for electrical wiring |
| Good conductor of heat | Used for pipes/tanks in heating and plumbing systems |
| Malleable/can be bent | Can be shaped around corners and fittings |
| Hard enough to hold its shape | Pipes and tanks stay rigid and supported |
| Does not react with water | Pipes do not corrode; water supply stays safe |
Section 4
How does copper's structure explain these properties?
Copper is a metal with a giant metallic structure: positive copper ions arranged in a regular lattice, surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons.
- The delocalised electrons explain both its electrical and thermal conductivity
- The layers of ions sliding over each other (while the metallic bonding holds the structure together) explain why copper is malleable enough to bend, yet remains strong enough not to easily break
Must Know
- Copper is a good conductor of heat and electricity
- Copper can be bent into shape but is hard enough to make rigid pipes and tanks
- Copper does not react with water, so it does not corrode in plumbing
- These properties make copper ideal for electrical wiring and plumbing
- The underlying cause is copper's metallic structure: delocalised electrons and ions in sliding layers
That's the notes covered.
Carry on to the next subtopic.