Question

Why bronze is preferred over copper metal for making statues.

Answer 1

Hint: The metals are combined to form an alloy. Alloys are made to increase the strength or many physical properties like ductility. The air and moisture can lead to the corrosion of a metal. Alloying provides resistance to corrosion.

Complete step by step solution:
Alloys are a combination of two or more metals. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
The physical properties of bronze are as follows:
It is harder than copper metal.
It is more easily malleable than copper metal.
It is ductile.
Bronze is easily available and is cheaper than copper metal.
Statues are generally placed in an open environment, so they are subjected to air moisture. Since bronze is an alloy, it is resistant to corrosion. Whereas copper metal can lead to corrosion.
Due to ductility bronze can be shaped into a statue easily and due to malleability statues made up of bronze can be transported easily with no worry of breaking a statue.
So, the ductility and corrosion resistance are the main cause of why the bronze is proffered over copper metal to form a statue.

Note: Malleability defines the flexibility of the material. Ductility is defined as the strength of a material to change its shape without breaking. Ductility reduces brittleness. Brittleness defines the deformation of matter on subjecting to stress. Due to ductility, malleability, low brittleness, and corrosion resistance, bronze is used to make the statue, medals, and sculptures. Alloys of copper and zinc are known as brass.