Alloys like brass and bronze contain additional elements (zinc and tin, respectively) that disrupt the orderly arrangement of copper atoms, leading to increased resistance to the flow of electrons. This impairs their conductivity compared to pure copper.
Why are alloys like brass and bronze not good conductors of electricity compared to pure copper?
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Alloys like brass and bronze, comprising copper along with zinc and tin respectively, exhibit lower electrical conductivity compared to pure copper due to several factors. The presence of additional metals introduces impurities, disrupting the crystal lattice structure and hindering electron flow. Crystal lattice distortion caused by different-sized atoms further impedes electron mobility. Additionally, the alloy’s specific composition, with metals like zinc and tin having lower conductivity than copper, contributes to reduced electrical conductivity. Despite this, these alloys offer advantages like increased hardness and corrosion resistance.