12.102P
Question
When tin is added to copper, the resulting alloy (bronze) is much harder than copper. Explain.
Step-by-Step Solution
Verified Answer
An alloy is formed when two or more metals are mixed in a certain proportion.
1Step 1: Definition
Bronze is an alloy of copper and 12% tin and other elements such as aluminium, arsenic, manganese, phosphorus, and silicon.
2Step 2: Adding tin with copper
A variety of sized atoms make up Alloys. This means the layers of an atom cannot slide over each other easily.
The atoms of elements present in bronze other than copper prevent the layer of copper atoms to slide over each other, thus making bronze metals harder, less malleable, and ductile than copper.
Atoms can easily slide over one another in pure metal.
Alloy – The presence of other atoms prevents the atoms of metal slide over each other
Other exercises in this chapter
12.99P
The coinage metals—copper, silver, and gold—crystallize in a cubic closest packed structure. Use the density of copper (8.95 g/cm3 ) and its molar m
View solution 12.100P
One of the most important enzymes in the world— nitrogenase, the plant protein that catalyzes nitrogen fixation— contains active clusters of iron, s
View solution 12.103P
In the process of doping a semiconductor, certain impurities are added to increase its electrical conductivity. Explain this process for an n-type and a p-type
View solution 12.104P
State two molecular characteristics of substances that typically form liquid crystals. How is each related to function?
View solution