Copper is a chemical element that is included in the composition of many alloys, where it is added, for example, to gold in small quantities to give gold sufficient hardness in the manufacture of jewelery, and an alloy with zinc called brass or brass was made from it, and in the Middle Ages , war shields , some devices and musical equipment were made of it . Due to being a good conductor of electricity , copper is used today in the manufacture of wires and cables, electric and electronic devices. It is used in building materials due to its resistance to corrosion . It is also used in the manufacture of coins and jewelry.