Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) Practice Exam

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Which metal is brass an alloy of?

  1. Nickel

  2. Copper

  3. Iron

  4. Zinc

The correct answer is: Copper

Brass is primarily an alloy made up of copper and zinc. The correct answer is copper, as it is the main component in brass, typically making up about 55% to 90% of the alloy, with zinc contributing the remainder. The combination of these metals results in a material that has distinctive properties, such as improved corrosion resistance, a bright, gold-like appearance, and excellent machinability. While zinc is also a significant part of brass, it is not correct to state that brass is "an alloy of" zinc alone, as copper is the predominant metal in the mixture. Nickel and iron are not components of brass; thus, they do not contribute to the various properties that make brass so valuable in numerous applications, including plumbing, electrical, and decorative purposes. Understanding the composition of brass highlights the importance of the specific metals used in alloy production, rather than simply identifying any single component.