Why is brass not an element

Brass, specifically, is often confused for copper or bronze, making this particular metal even more confusing to decipher. Brass is a mixture made of copper and zinc. Mixtures occur when two metals combine to make a third metal. In this case, copper and zinc come together to make brass.

Because brass does not fit the qualifications for a compound or element, the metal is a mixture. The rest of this article will dig deeper into what makes brass a mixture as opposed to an element or a compound, by exploring the differences and similarities between the three categories. But what makes this economical choice a mixture instead of anything else? Simply put, chemists classify a mixture as something that occurs when two elements come together to make something else.

Even metals that may seem similar, such as brass and copper, can vary greatly when it comes to which classification they belong to. The category a metal, such as brass, fits in depends on many factors, such as what substances the metal is made of, and whether the percentage of the substances within it can be varied.

Elements consist of their own individual atoms, causing all elements to be entirely unique. There are only elements, but they can be combined to make nearly limitless amounts of unique compounds and mixtures that make up our everyday world. Brass is just one example of what can occur when two or more elements are mixed together. Some examples of metal elements, other than copper and zinc, are:. Because mixtures are made up of multiple elements combined, they can be broken down into smaller parts, unlike elements.

Brass, when broken down, divides into zinc and copper. Therefore, because brass is not a standalone substance, it cannot be considered an element. Copper and Zinc are physically bound not chemically. So,brass is a mixture not a compound. Questions and Answers from students around the world. Download App now.

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