Bronze is a solid solution of Cu(s) and Sn(s); solutions of metals like this that are solids are called alloys. There is a range of compositions over which the solution is considered a bronze. Bronzes are stronger and harder than either copper or tin alone. (c) Suggest a reaction that you could do to remove all the tin from this bronze to leave a pure copper sample. Justify your reasoning.

Key Concepts

Alloys

Alloys are solid solutions composed of two or more metals, where the properties of the resulting material differ from those of the individual components. In the case of bronze, which is primarily made of copper and tin, the alloy exhibits enhanced strength and hardness compared to its constituent metals. Understanding the nature of alloys is crucial for determining how to manipulate their composition.

Chemical Reactions

A chemical reaction involves the transformation of reactants into products through the breaking and forming of chemical bonds. To remove tin from bronze, one could use a reaction that selectively reacts with tin without affecting copper. This understanding of selective reactivity is essential for proposing a suitable method to isolate pure copper from the alloy.

Separation Techniques

Separation techniques are methods used to isolate specific components from a mixture based on their physical or chemical properties. In the context of removing tin from bronze, techniques such as oxidation or selective dissolution can be employed. Knowledge of these techniques is vital for effectively separating metals in an alloy while preserving the desired metal.