Final answer:
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, known for being malleable and good for musical instruments, while bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, which is harder and easier to cast, making it suitable for tools and decorations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The composition of brass differs from bronze in the types of metals combined with copper. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, while bronze is primarily an alloy of copper and tin. This difference in composition leads to distinct properties for each alloy. Brass is very malleable and has excellent acoustic properties, which makes it a preferred material for musical instruments such as trumpets and trombones.
On the other hand, bronze is known for being harder than copper and easier to cast which is why it was extensively used in the past for weapons, tools, and decorative objects. While both alloys contain copper the addition of either zinc or tin changes their melting points, hardness, and malleability demonstrating how the properties of metals can be tailored through the creation of alloys.