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Copper Metal from Malachite circa 4000 B.C.E.

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Cris E. Johnson

Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO 80933

Gordon T. Yee and Jeannine E. Eddleton

Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061

J. Chem. Educ., 2004, 81 (12), p 1777

DOI: 10.1021/ed081p1777

Publication Date (Web): December 1, 2004

Abstract

After the development of the field of ceramics, for Stone Age man, the smelting of copper might have represented the next designed chemical transformation of one substance into a more useful second substance. Around 6000 years ago the procedure involved heating copper ore in the presence of charcoal; we have created a laboratory experiment inspired by this idea. The experiment starts with a naturally occurring ore, malachite, essentially pure Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂, which is readily available at modest cost in bead form from jewelry stores. Using only a Bunsen burner, a porcelain crucible, and a charcoal briquette, the experiment demonstrates two steps in the ancient processing of copper ore: roasting and reduction. The product is a shiny copper metal bead that can then be hammered, polished, and shown to be electrically conductive. The procedure requires less than three hours, uses inexpensive materials and equipment, uses no hazardous reagents, and produces essentially no hazardous waste. In addition, the student has produced something tangible, that can either be the subject of further experimentation, or safely taken home.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

History / Philosophy

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Copper

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

Metals in Metal Salts: A Copper Mirror Demonstration
Robert D. Pike
Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (10), 1062-1063
- Metals in Metal Salts: A Copper Mirror Demonstration
  Robert D. Pike
  Journal of Chemical Education2010 87 (10), 1062-1063
  A simple lecture demonstration is described to show the latent presence of metal atoms in a metal salt. Copper(II) formate tetrahydrate is heated in a round-bottom flask forming a high-quality copper mirror.
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Copper Metal from Malachite circa 4000 B.C.E.