why do we use copper more than aluminum? give some characteristic of copper that makes it better then aluminum?
Copper is greater suitable than aluminum via fact it has a conductivity of ninety seven% whilst in comparison with sixty two % for aluminum.Copper is likewise and safer, via fact, its contacts whilst splicing will stay carrying out even for an prolonged time, mutually as in aluminum, splices especially if carried out copper to aluminum will oxidize after a era, ensuing to overheating and electric powered fires. Aluminum development wiring isn't yet allowed in lots of Asian cities.
Unless you have a specific purpose in mind, I don't think copper is used as much as aluminum. Aluminum was used in house wiring for a short time because it is less expensive than the usual copper, but something about it caused house fires. (I think it was thermal expansion caused connections in switches to loosen creating connections that would heat up, or spark.) Copper is preferred for house wiring. Copper is about 3 times more dense, so Al is used where light weight is a consideration. I can't remember the last time I drank something out of a copper can.
I think the major characteristic of copper, when compared to aluminum, is copper's lack of chemical reactivity. When someone mines for copper, you dig out actual pieces of copper metal, which are then cleaned and purified. No one goes mining for aluminum because there is no metal in the ground. Aluminum is so chemically reactive that in a short period of time (by this I mean years, so the short is a relative term compared to copper), all the aluminum metal will react and the metal will be destroyed. Aluminum metal used to be so difficult to make (you have to do it chemically because you can't dig it out of the ground), that kings would serve their important guests on gold and silver plates, but their REALLY important guests got served on aluminum plates. One note on the reactivity of aluminum. Soda cans (made of aluminum) have a thin plastic film which coats the inside of the can, do so as to protect the metal from the chemical action of the soda. If this film were not there, the acidic soda would react with the can in a matter of hours or days and form a hole through which the contents of the can would drain out. Not good!
Copper is: -harder to oxidize -more ductile -better conductor of electricity -has a longer 'lifespan'
more ductile, better conductor. thats about it. we use it for wires and electrical stuff. aluminum is for hard things like cans or cars.
