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What type(s) of bonding would be expected for brass (a copper–zinc alloy)?

User Joe Keene
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Final answer:

Brass, a copper-zinc alloy, exhibits metallic bonding with delocalized electrons that contribute to its conductivity and malleability, making it a valuable material for various applications, notably musical instruments.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of bonding expected for brass, a copper-zinc alloy, is metallic bonding. Alloys are mixtures of two or more elements, with at least one being a metal, and exhibit metallic bonds. In metallic bonding, electrons are not bound to any particular atom and can move freely throughout the material's lattice structure. This free movement of electrons contributes to metals' and alloys' conductivity and malleability. Since both copper and zinc are metals, the electrons in brass are delocalized, which allows for the creation of metallic bonds.

Brass is noted for its malleability and acoustic properties, which make it a prominent material for manufacturing musical instruments. Moreover, the specific properties of brass, which differ from its constituent metals copper and zinc, showcase how the combination of metals in an alloy can result in superior qualities for certain applications.

User Sandeep Dinesh
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The type of bonding that would be expected for brass (a copper–zinc alloy) would be metallic bonding. It is an type of bonding between atoms that is a result of the attraction force between the valence electrons and the atoms. It involves sharing of the electrons between positive ions wherein the electrons present serve as a binding particle resulting to a definite structure of the substance. The electrons in this substance are able to move freely within the structure. This type of bonding occurs only in metal-metal bonding. Most obvious example would be the alloys such as brass, bronze, steel, pewter, solder and wrought iron.  
User Mitch VanDuyn
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