Q4. Bronze is an alloy of:
[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (10 May 2015)]
(A) Copper and tin
(B) Copper and silver
(C) Copper and zinc
(D) Copper and lead
Answer: (A) Copper and tin
Explanation: Bronze mainly contains copper and tin. The addition of tin gives copper greater hardness and makes the material suitable for durable cast objects. Bronze has been used since antiquity for implements, coins and sculptures. Copper combined with zinc forms brass.
Q3. German silver is an alloy of:
[IB ACIO Grade II Paper I (23 September 2012)]
(A) Copper, zinc and nickel
(B) Silver, copper and carbon
(C) Silver, zinc and aluminium
(D) Aluminium, zinc and cobalt
Answer: (A) Copper, zinc and nickel
Explanation: German silver is a copper alloy containing nickel and zinc. Nickel provides the characteristic silver-like colour, while the combined metals produce useful strength and corrosion resistance. Despite the name, ordinary German silver does not contain silver and is also called nickel silver.
Q2. An Invar tape is made of an alloy of:
[JKPSC Assistant Engineer (Civil) Official Paper 2009]
(A) Brass and steel
(B) Nickel and steel
(C) Copper and steel
(D) Copper and brass
Answer: (B) Nickel and steel
Explanation: Invar is an iron–nickel alloy containing about 36% nickel, known for exceptionally low thermal expansion near room temperature. Surveying tapes made from Invar change length very little with temperature, supporting accurate distance measurement. The paper expresses its composition as nickel and steel.
Q1. What are the main constituents of Babbitt metal used in industry?
[MPSC Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector Official Paper 3 (2002)]
(A) Copper, tin and antimony
(B) Copper, tin and phosphorus
(C) Copper, tin and nickel
(D) Copper, zinc and nickel
Answer: (A) Copper, tin and antimony
Explanation: Tin-based Babbitt bearing metal commonly contains tin, antimony and copper, for example approximately 88% tin, 8% antimony and 4% copper. It provides a comparatively soft, low-friction bearing surface. Other Babbitt formulations are lead-based and use different constituent proportions.
