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The Melting Point of Copper — Reading Comprehension

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Grades

Standards

5-PS1
MS-PS1-4
RI.6.3
RI.7.1

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This reading passage, 'The Melting Point of Copper,' introduces middle school students to an important physical property—melting point—using copper as the example. Copper has a melting point of 1,085°C (1,984°F), making it strong, heat-resistant, and ideal for use in wires, pipes, and coins. The passage explains that melting point is a physical property, meaning copper stays the same substance even when it melts and reforms. This concept supports the NGSS standard MS-PS1-4, which focuses on changes in particle motion, temperature, and states of pure substances. Students also learn how copper is useful in recycling and industry, and how it can be reshaped without losing its quality. With a Flesch Reading Ease of around 70, this passage is accessible to grades 5–8 and supports ELA Common Core standards such as RI.6.1 and RI.6.4. The passage includes comprehension questions, vocabulary practice, and a fun fact to spark curiosity. It’s a great cross-curricular tool that brings real-world science into the classroom.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Copper is a shiny, reddish-brown metal that has been used by humans for thousands of years. You can find copper in electrical wires, water pipes, coins, and even jewelry. One important property of copper is its melting point—the temperature at which it changes from solid to liquid.

The melting point of copper is 1,085 degrees Celsius (or 1,984 degrees Fahrenheit). This is hotter than aluminum but cooler than the melting point of steel. Because of this high temperature, copper is known for being tough and heat-resistant, which makes it useful in many industries.

Melting point is a physical property. That means copper can melt into a liquid without changing what it is made of. After it cools, it turns back into solid copper. The substance stays the same—it just changes state.

Copper is a great conductor of heat and electricity, which is why it’s often used in electrical wiring. When copper is melted, it can be shaped into long wires or thin sheets. In recycling, copper can be melted and reused many times without losing its quality. This helps save resources and energy.

Knowing the melting point of copper is important for engineers, electricians, and manufacturers. It helps them know how to safely heat and shape copper for different uses.

Fun fact: Copper was one of the first metals used by humans—over 10,000 years ago! Ancient people even made tools and jewelry from melted copper.

What is the main idea of the passage?

How to clean copperCopper’s melting point and why it is usefulThe price of copper over timeWhy steel is better than copper

What is the melting point of copper in Celsius?

100°C660°C1,085°C1,540°C

Why is copper used in electrical wires?

It is cheapIt is heavyIt conducts heat and electricity wellIt melts easily in the sun

What does it mean that melting point is a physical property?

It changes the substance into a gasIt shows that the material changes into a different substanceIt can be observed without changing the materialIt breaks down the substance completely

What happens to copper when it melts and cools again?

It turns into goldIt stays a gasIt becomes a different metalIt turns back into solid copper

What item is not mentioned in the passage as being made of copper?

PipesCoinsWiresPots and pans

Why is copper good for recycling?

It is very rareIt cannot be reusedIt loses quality when reusedIt can be melted and reused without losing quality

Which of these best describes the tone of the passage?

Sad and emotionalInformative and clearFunny and sarcasticConfusing and random