Q 01/05

What is the chemical symbol for copper?

A) Co

B) Cp

C) Cu

D) Cr

Answer · why

C) Cu

It comes from the Latin cuprum; Co is cobalt and Cr is chromium.

Q 02/05

What is copper's atomic number?

A) 29

B) 79

C) 47

D) 31

Answer · why

A) 29

Its neighbours in group 11, silver and gold, are 47 and 79.

Q 03/05

From which Latin word does the symbol Cu derive?

A) Cuprix

B) Cuprum

C) Cupreus

D) Cuprus

Answer · why

B) Cuprum

The word evolved from aes cyprium, 'metal of Cyprus'.

Q 04/05

Which island gave copper its name?

A) Sicily

B) Sardinia

C) Crete

D) Cyprus

Answer · why

D) Cyprus

Romans called it aes cyprium, and the island was sacred to Aphrodite, copper's goddess.

Q 05/05

Which pure metal is the only one with higher electrical conductivity than copper?

A) Platinum

B) Silver

C) Aluminium

D) Gold

Answer · why

B) Silver

Copper's softness partly explains its conductivity, which is why it dominates wiring.