Question

Musical instruments like trumpets and trombones are made from an alloy called brass. Brass is composed of copper and zinc atoms and appears homogeneous under an optical microscope. The approximate composition of most brass objects is a 2:1 ratio of copper to zinc atoms, but the exact ratio varies somewhat from one piece of brass to another. (a) Would you classify brass as an element, a compound, a homogeneous mixture, or a heterogeneous mixture

Answer 1

There are various substances found in nature, which are classified as an element, compound, and mixtures. Elements are pure substances, which are found in the simplest form, compounds are formed by the combining of two or more atoms of the same or different elements. Mixtures are categorized into homogenous and heterogenous, which are based on the composition of the mixture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The homogenous mixtures are defined as the mixtures in which substances or components are evenly distributed and cannot be distinguished by each other. For example, detergent, air, and water. Alloys are also considered homogenous mixtures because the elements are mixed in some particular ratio. For instance, brass and steel are such types of homogenous alloys. In brass, the solid solution of copper and zinc are mixed in a specific ratio (2:1). However, the different instruments have different ratios of brass. The brass is classified as a homogenous mixture. In contrast, heterogeneous mixtures are those in which the composition of substances is not uniform. For example, oil and water.