Final answer:
The correct answer to which metals can cause toxic metal contamination when mixed with acidic foods is (a) copper, brass, and silver, because these metals can react with the acids found in these foods, potentially causing health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Toxic metal contamination occurs when acidic foods, such as lemons and vinegar, which contain organic acids like citric acid and acetic acid, come into contact with certain metals. These organic acids can cause metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury to dissolve and leach into the food, potentially leading to health issues upon ingestion. Note that noble metals such as gold, silver, and platinum are typically unreactive with acids, making them exceptions. Given the options:
- (a) copper, brass, and silver
- (b) copper, brass, and tin
- (c) gold, silver, and bronze
- (d) tin, brass, and gold
The correct answer would be (a) copper, brass, and silver, as these metals can react with acidic foods. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and it can also react with acids, while noble metals like gold are less reactive and generally do not leach into foods. Silver, although less reactive than many other metals, can still be affected by the acids found in some foods, potentially leading to contamination.