Question

How does the electrical conductivity of copper alloys, brass and bronze, differ from that of pure copper?

Answer 1

1. Pure copper has very high electrical conductivity and is widely used for electrical wiring.
2. Brass, which is an alloy of copper and zinc, conducts electricity much less well than pure copper, so it is a poorer conductor.
3. Bronze which is an alloy of copper and tin also has lower conductivity than pure copper but gives greater strength and corrosion resistance.
4. Alloys reduce conductivity because added atoms scatter moving electrons.