Muntz Metal
Finding the percentage of copper in brass alloy.
Introduction
This is an investigation to find out how much copper is in a brass alloy. The brass alloy we are experimenting on is called Muntz Metal. Muntz metal is 60% copper, 40% zinc and a hint of copper [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntz_metal] (accessed 4/10/12). Muntz metal was developed as an alternative to expensive, heavy copper. It is comprised of about 60% copper and about 40% zinc, with a small amount of iron. The finished product actually is considered a form of brass, but it has maintained its name of Muntz metal. [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-muntz-metal.htm] (Accessed 4/10/12)
Explanation
The brass is dissolved in sulphuric acid to create the blue solution of copper. We put the blue solution of copper in the colorimeter and measured the absorbance of the solution 3 times then we found the average of the 3 different results we had gotten. We then diluted the blue solution of copper with water and put it into the colorimeter and measured the absorbance 3 times again and got the average again.
A colorimeter is a light-sensitive instrument that measures how much colour is absorbed by an object or substance. It determines colour based on the red, blue, and green components of light absorbed by the object or sample, much as the human eye does. When light passes through a medium, part of the light is absorbed, and as a result, there is a decrease in how much of the light reflected by the medium. A colorimeter measures that change so users can analyse the concentration of a particular substance in that medium. The device works on the basis of Beer-Lambert's law, which states that the absorption of light transmitted through a medium is directly proportional to the concentration of the medium. [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-colorimeter.htm] (Accessed 5/10/12)
Prediction
If it is Muntz metal it should be 60% copper and 40% zinc. There for if we measure the percentage of copper anything that
Introduction
This is an investigation to find out how much copper is in a brass alloy. The brass alloy we are experimenting on is called Muntz Metal. Muntz metal is 60% copper, 40% zinc and a hint of copper [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntz_metal] (accessed 4/10/12). Muntz metal was developed as an alternative to expensive, heavy copper. It is comprised of about 60% copper and about 40% zinc, with a small amount of iron. The finished product actually is considered a form of brass, but it has maintained its name of Muntz metal. [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-muntz-metal.htm] (Accessed 4/10/12)
Explanation
The brass is dissolved in sulphuric acid to create the blue solution of copper. We put the blue solution of copper in the colorimeter and measured the absorbance of the solution 3 times then we found the average of the 3 different results we had gotten. We then diluted the blue solution of copper with water and put it into the colorimeter and measured the absorbance 3 times again and got the average again.
A colorimeter is a light-sensitive instrument that measures how much colour is absorbed by an object or substance. It determines colour based on the red, blue, and green components of light absorbed by the object or sample, much as the human eye does. When light passes through a medium, part of the light is absorbed, and as a result, there is a decrease in how much of the light reflected by the medium. A colorimeter measures that change so users can analyse the concentration of a particular substance in that medium. The device works on the basis of Beer-Lambert's law, which states that the absorption of light transmitted through a medium is directly proportional to the concentration of the medium. [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-colorimeter.htm] (Accessed 5/10/12)
Prediction
If it is Muntz metal it should be 60% copper and 40% zinc. There for if we measure the percentage of copper anything that