Cu – copper – is a soft, malleable, ductile metal that is pinkish-orange in its pure form. Copper and its alloys (including brass and bronze) have been used since ancient times for purposes such as minting. It has since found application in many aspects of our everyday life. Thanks to its electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, much of the copper produced today is used in electrical wiring and cables. Copper is also used in plumbing, roofing, industrial machinery, cookware, and electric motors. Copper-containing coatings are applied to most marine vessels to protect their hulls from shellfish and other biological interference.