Which material is an alloy of copper and tin commonly used for statues, coins, bearings, and underwater fittings?

Which material is an alloy of copper and tin commonly used for statues, coins, bearings, and underwater fittings?

• A. Bronze
• B. Brass
• C. Tin
• D. Copper

Answer: (A)

Bronze is a copper-tin alloy that becomes harder and more wear-resistant than pure copper, while still being easy to cast and finish. These traits make it ideal for statues, where fine detail and a durable surface matter; for coins, where long wear resistance is important; for bearings, where hardness and good load-bearing capacity reduce wear; and for underwater fittings, where corrosion resistance in seawater is crucial thanks to the tin content forming a protective oxide layer. The other options aren’t copper-tin alloys—brass is copper-zinc, tin is an element, and copper alone is softer—so bronze best fits all the described uses.

Bronze is a copper-tin alloy that becomes harder and more wear-resistant than pure copper, while still being easy to cast and finish. These traits make it ideal for statues, where fine detail and a durable surface matter; for coins, where long wear resistance is important; for bearings, where hardness and good load-bearing capacity reduce wear; and for underwater fittings, where corrosion resistance in seawater is crucial thanks to the tin content forming a protective oxide layer. The other options aren’t copper-tin alloys—brass is copper-zinc, tin is an element, and copper alone is softer—so bronze best fits all the described uses.