Question

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. What will be the oxidation state of copper and zinc respectively in brass?

Answer 1

Answer:

Let the proportion of Copper and Zinc in Brass be x:y

Also, let the amount of brass and bronze in the fused mass is m and n respectively

Percentage of Tin in the fused mass =m×0+n×16=(m+n)×10⟹10m=6n⟹

n

m

=

5

3

Percentage of Zinc in the fused mass =m×y+n×4=(m+n)×16⟹(y−16)m=12n⟹

y−16

12

=

n

m

=

5

3

⟹3y−48=60⟹y=36

Also, x+y=100⟹x=64

Therefore Ratio of Copper and Zinc in Brass is 64:36