Name: copper
Symbol: Cu
Atomic number: 29
Atomic weight: 63.546 (3) r
Group in periodic table: 11
Group name: Coinage metal
Period in periodic table: 4
Block in periodic table: d-block
CAS registry ID: 7440-50-8
Copper is one of the most important metals. Copper is reddish with a bright metallic lustre. It is malleable, ductile, and a good conductor of heat and electricity (second only to silver in electrical conductivity). Its alloys, brass and bronze, are very important. Monel and gun metals also contain copper. Apparently the reason that policemen in the USA are nicknamed "cops" or "coppers" is to do with their uniforms which used to have copper buttons. The most important compounds are the oxide and the sulphate, (blue vitriol).