Question

Give two reasons for supporting that brass is a mixture and not a compound.

Answer 1

Compound: It is a substance that is formed by mixing two or more elements in a defined ratio. They do not show the properties of its constituent elements and cannot be separated by physical methods. It is always homogeneous in nature.

Mixtures: It is a substance made by mixing two or more pure substances in an undefined proportion. They show the properties of the components which can be separated by simple physical methods. They can be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

Brass is a mixture and not a compound because:

1. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
2. It does not have a fixed composition, i.e it can contain copper and zinc in any ratio.
3. Like the minerals, it shows the properties of its constituent elements.
4. In brass, copper and zinc are not chemically bonded unlike compounds in which the elements are chemically bonded together.

Therefore, brass is considered a mixture and not a compound.