Bronze is a mixture of

Analyze the question: The question asks which metals make up bronze. Bronze is an alloy, which is a mixture of metals.

Explain the concept: An alloy is a mixture of a metal with one or more other elements, usually other metals, made to improve properties such as hardness, strength, or resistance to corrosion. Some common alloys you should know for WASSCE, JAMB and NECO:

| Alloy | Composition | |---|---| | Bronze | Copper (Cu) + Tin (Sn) | | Brass | Copper (Cu) + Zinc (Zn) | | Solder | Tin (Sn) + Lead (Pb) | | Steel | Iron (Fe) + Carbon (C) | | Duralumin | Aluminium (Al) + Cu + Mg | | Magnalium | Aluminium (Al) + Magnesium (Mg) |

Solution, checking each option:

• A. Cu and Mg: Not a common alloy. Magnesium is used with aluminium in magnalium and duralumin. ✗
• B. Cu and Sn: Copper (about 88-90%) and tin (about 10-12%) make bronze. ✓
• C. Cu and Zn: This is brass, the most common mix-up with bronze. ✗
• D. Cu and Pb: Lead is not a standard component of bronze. ✗

Answer: Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin, so the correct option is B.

Uses: Bronze is used for statues, medals, bells, and the famous Benin Bronzes from Nigeria, as well as for coins and machine bearings.

Memory tip: Think "BRONZE = Copper + TIN" (the "n" in bronze and tin), and "BRASS = Copper + ZINC" (both have "Z" and "S" sounds, or remember that "brass" and "zinc" are both used in musical-instrument contexts). Brass has Zinc, Bronze has tin.