The feeling of a smell at the person arises when his receptors in a nose are irritated with molecules of any substance. For this reason solid bodies usually smell of nothing or smell very poorly. The smell of liquids and gases is most often felt rather strongly.
As well as the majority of solid substances, in a usual state it is gray, copper smell of nothing at all. But under certain conditions these simple substances nevertheless can begin to let out specific smells.
Properties of copper
Copper in Mendeleyev's table is designated as Cu. The Latin name of this Cuprum metal came from the name the island of Cyprus. Copper mines on this southern island were developed, beginning from 3rd century B.C.
Plastic golden-pink metal represents copper and differs in the following characteristics:
- high degree of heat conductivity;
- resistance to corrosion;
- high temperature of melting;
- ease in processing.
Copper is metal rather low-active. Easily Cu generally only with sulfur, halogens and selenium reacts. In dry air copper is not oxidized, but at the increased humidity on its surface the carbonate film quickly is formed.
In usual conditions of Cu smells of nothing. But if a piece of copper to pick up and rub, for example, about wool, it is possible to feel a specific smell of metal pretty clearly. There is it, according to scientists, as a result of reaction of the acids which are contained in sweat of the person and the carbon which is a part of copper.
Properties are gray
Sulfur in Mendeleyev's table is designated as S. It represents yellow crystal or plastic brown substance. Its Latin name Sulfur comes from Indo-European swelp that means "to burn".
Sulfur is known to the person, as well as copper, for a long time. For example, scientists assume that it was a part of the "Greek fire" directing once horror at enemies. In the 8th century, sulfur was used in China for gunpowder production.
Though it is gray and has molecular structure, it represents mix of simple substances and different molecules. Sulfur is not dissolved in water, when melting considerably increases in volume with the subsequent polymerization and is substance combustible.
One of features of sulfur is that when burning it forms dioxide with very pungent suffocating smell of hydrogen sulfide. Vapors of the burning sulfur are toxic and their inhalation can lead to poisoning.
Interaction of sulfur and copper
Though copper and inactive metal, it interacts with sulfur very well. In vapors of the boiling sulfur copper begins to burn. At the same time (Cu + S = CuS) copper sulfide becomes result of reaction.