When copper is heated, it does not burn, but the hot metal is coated with a black-colored layer of copper(II) oxide due to the reaction with oxygen. Copper does not burn because it forms a stable oxide layer that prevents further oxidation.
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When copper is heated, it undergoes a physical change rather than combustion. As the temperature rises, copper undergoes a process called oxidation, forming copper oxide on its surface. The color change from metallic to a characteristic reddish-brown or black indicates the formation of copper oxide. Unlike some metals, copper does not burn in the traditional sense because it has a high resistance to oxidation and does not readily combine with oxygen at normal temperatures. The formation of copper oxide acts as a protective layer, preventing further reaction with oxygen and safeguarding the metal from combustion or complete degradation.