View Full Version : Why does copper bend so easily?
HiddenSecrets
Jan 19, 2014, 08:59 AM
Well, it's a question on my science homework and I can't find out why copper bends so easily. Help? :/
joypulv
Jan 19, 2014, 09:32 AM
Look up 'ductility.' That's the measure of how bendable a metal is.
Also look up 'malleable metals.' Those are the softer ones like copper.
HiddenSecrets
Jan 19, 2014, 02:46 PM
Thank you so much! Helped me out a lot ! :D xx
joypulv
Jan 19, 2014, 03:02 PM
You're welcome.
15yearoldgirl
Jan 19, 2014, 04:12 PM
If it's pure copper, then all the atoms are the same size. This means that it's easy for them to slide over each other and therefore they bend easily. To make it more difficult to bend you can add different atoms which have different sizes which disturbs the regular pattern in the layers so it can't bend as easily. This would also mean that the copper is now impure. Hope I helped :)