ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Antimicrobial properties of copper

Have you ever heard of copper? It's a shiny, reddish-brown metal that is used for many things like making electrical wires, coins, and even kitchen tools like pots and pans. But did you know that copper also has special properties that kill germs?

Germs are tiny living things that can make us sick, like bacteria and viruses. But copper has special molecules on its surface that can kill these germs. These molecules are like little weapons that attack the germs and break them apart.

When we touch things that have germs on them, like door handles or countertops, we can pick up those germs on our hands. But if those things are made of copper or have copper on them, those germs can't survive for very long. That means that copper can help to keep us safe and healthy by stopping germs from spreading.

Scientists have studied the antimicrobial properties of copper and have found that it can be very effective at killing germs. They have even made things like hospital beds and door knobs with copper on them to help stop the spread of germs in hospitals and other places.

So, in summary, copper is a special metal that has a power to kill germs and stop them from making us sick. By using copper in things we touch everyday, we can stay healthier and avoid getting sick from germs.