Copper (Cu) VS Zinc (Zn)
A definitive side-by-side comparison of two essential element profiles.
VS
Main Differences
Copper (Cu) is an element in the transition metals category with an atomic number of 29. Zinc (Zn) is an element in the transition metals category with an atomic number of 30.
Copper (Cu) is 1.3x denser than Zinc (Zn). Furthermore, Copper (Cu) melts at a significantly higher temperature than Zinc (Zn) (a difference of 665.1 Kelvin).
Where do the names come from?
Cu Copper (Cu) Naming History
The name Copper is derived from the Old English name 'coper' in turn derived from the Latin 'Cyprium aes', meaning a metal from Cyprus
Zn Zinc (Zn) Naming History
The name is derived from the German, 'zinc', which may in turn be derived from the Persian word 'sing', meaning stone.
Related Comparisons
Compare
Copper (Cu)
Zinc (Zn)
Category
Transition Metals
Transition Metals
Atomic Number
29
30
Symbol
Cu
Zn
Atomic Mass
63.546 u
65.38 u
Group
11
12
Period
4
4
Block
d-block
d-block
Standard State (at 20°C)
solid
solid
Density
8.96 g/cm³
7.14 g/cm³
Melting Point (°C)
1084.62°C
419.527°C
Melting Point (°F)
1984.32°F
787.149°F
Melting Point (K)
1357.77 K
692.68 K
Boiling Point (°C)
2560°C
907°C
Boiling Point (°F)
4640°F
1665°F
Boiling Point (K)
2835 K
1180 K
Year Discovered:
Ancient
1746
CAS Number
7440-50-8
7440-66-6
Origin of Name:
The name is derived from the Old English name 'coper' in turn derived from the Latin 'Cyprium aes', meaning a metal from Cyprus
The name is derived from the German, 'zinc', which may in turn be derived from the Persian word 'sing', meaning stone.