Copper

**Copper** is a chemical element with the symbol of **Cu** and the atomic number of 29. It is a very common metal found on Earth and the New World.

## Overview

Copper is a soft, malleable, and ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. On Earth, it is quite abundant (70 parts per million), and the New World has equal or more copper available. A freshly exposed surface of pure copper has a pinkish-orange color. It is usually found as copper sulfide. Copper is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, as a building material, and as a constituent of various metal alloys, such as sterling silver used in jewelry, cupronickel used to make marine hardware and coins, and constantan used in strain gauges and thermocouples for temperature measurement.

## Uses

* Wires and cables
* Electrical and electronic components
* Various alloys for building materials
* Weaponry
* Construction
* Currency
* Electric motors
* Batteries
* Jewelry
* Antimicrobe
* Antifouling
* Medical

## Alloys of Copper

### Brass

Brass a combination of 44% zinc and 66% copper, and is mostly known for its shiny, yellow appearance. As a result, it is commonly used for decorative purposes such as doorknobs and handles. However, because it is is easy to work with and is corrosion-resistant, it is also used for tasks that has low friction such as locks, hinges, gears, bearings, ammunition casings, zippers, plumbing, hose couplings, valves, electrical plugs and sockets. Musical instruments that such as horns and bells also favor brass for its sound quality.

### Bronze

Bronze is a combination of 12% tin and 88% copper, and is normally a dull, brownish color. However, when copper oxide forms on top of bronze, it takes on a dull green color. Before the advent of iron and steel weapons, (especially swords, knives and armor), bronze was favored as being stronger than copper and stone weapons and was relatively easy to work with. It was also widely used as a building material and ornamentation such as bronze statues and works of art.

## Copper in the New World

### Third Civilization Area and Outside the Civilized Area

Since these regions were still in the medieval eras during the time of Japan's transference, they were already utilizing copper and its alloys, brass and bronze. Though iron and steel were the primary materials for weapons and construction, copper was still used in lesser applications of building materials, weapons and ornamentation. Copper was also used as a form of currency, normally to denote lesser denominations of money, such as copper coins. Since copper had very little military value after being replaced by iron and steel, it was seen with very little value and sold cheaply.

### Second Civilization Area

Countries like Mu have discovered the innate properties of copper, mainly its electrical and thermal conductivity. Without these properties, Mu's engineers would have never developed their internal combustion engines and electrical grids. However, they have not yet developed the electronic aspects of copper that Japan has. They presently only see electricity as a power source, but not as a means for transmitting data. They have only begun to see the massive calculation power of the computer and still do not understand how the copper integrated circuit works.

Copper's main use is in the military, as basically jackets for bullets, artillery/naval shell contact fuses and various connectors.

### Gra Valkas Empire

Like Mu, the Gra Valkas Empire have also utilized copper in the same manner for internal engines and electrical grids. They have gone one step further with the invention of the Vacuum Tube, which utilizes copper electrodes and connectors. As a result, they have very primitive computers, which are massive devices that fill whole rooms and floors. Copper is also a component in their proximity fuses as well as bullet jackets and other military fields.

### First Civilization Area

Since this area is reliant on Magic, unless it is magically-infused, copper like iron and any other common metal has less importance. As a result, countries like the Holy Milishial Empire do not apply copper in the same manner as Mu, the Gra Valkas Empire and Japan. Copper is seen by the Empire in the same manner as the Third Civilized Areas.

### Japan

Japan comes from Earth, which has more than 11,000 years of history with copper and has fully realized its potential, both physically and chemically. As a result, copper is used in virtually every field, from construction, ornamentation and especially, electronic technology. Copper is a vital component of all circuit boards and connectors. Though some have been replaced by more efficient electrical conductors, copper is still useful and can be recycled. Its military usages goes far beyond small arms ammunition and contact fuses. In the HEAT Round, a molten jet of copper easily cuts through metal armor, thereby devastating Gra Valkan tanks. Just about all of Japan's military technology has copper as a key component.