Copper

metal · conductor · element

Electricity superhighway. Copper is one of the best conductors of electricity on Earth, which is why most of the wires in your home use copper to carry power safely to your lights and devices.

Bendy and shapeable. Copper is soft and malleable, meaning you can hammer it, stretch it, and bend it into almost any shape without it breaking, making it perfect for crafting and building.

Seawater resistant mix. Cupronickel, which is copper mixed with nickel, doesn't rust in salty ocean water, so ships and submarines use it for their hardware and fittings.

Jewelry and coins. Copper is mixed with other metals to make sterling silver for fancy jewelry and cupronickel for coins that won't corrode or break down over time.

Temperature detective. A special copper alloy called constantan is used in thermocouples, which are instruments that measure temperature in ovens, furnaces, and scientific equipment.