Question

What is the composition of the following alloys?
A.Brass
B.German Silver

Answer 1

Hint : There are 118 different elements known to us on this day. These elements are widely distributed in the earth’s crust in the free state as well as in the combined state. Based on their properties they are classified as metals, metalloids, non-metals, or inert gases. Of these known elements only 17 are non-metals.

Complete step by step solution :
Step 1
The elements which have high densities, high melting, and boiling points, can be drawn into sheets or pulled into wires, have tensile strength, and are good conductors of heat and electricity are known as metals. Copper was the first metal to be used by man for making utensils, weapons, and other purposes. Gold, silver, copper, lead, tin, antimony, and mercury which was earlier named as quicksilver have been known to mankind from ancient times.
Step 2
A homogeneous mixture of two or more metals or one or more metals with certain non-metallic elements is known as an alloy. The properties of alloys are often different from those of the component elements. For example, gold is too soft to be used without a small percentage of copper mixed with it. The corrosion and oxidation resistance of steel is due to the incorporation of chromium and nickel with it.
Step 3
An alloy is made with a purpose to upgrade the specific usefulness of the primary component of the alloy and not to adulterate or degrade it.
Step 4
The methods of making an alloy are:
By fusing the metals together.
By compressing finely divided metals.
Hence,
The components of brass and German silver are:
Brass - $60 - 70\%$ Copper and $40 - 30\%$zinc which is malleable and ductile, can be easily cast and resistant to corrosion.
German Silver - $50\%$Copper, $30\%$ Zinc, and $20\%$ Nickel which is white and light like silver, malleable and ductile, and has high electrical resistance.

Note : Brass is mostly used as decorative hardware and utensils, and German silver is used in electric heaters and rheostats.