CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Aditya Saxena, a student of

class XII B has successfully completed the research
on the topic “Analyzing a sample of brass
qualitatively” under the guidance of Ms.Sushma
Verma (subject teacher) during year 2022 - 2023
in partial fulfillment of chemistry practical
examination of central board of secondary
education (CBSE).

______________
Principal

_____________ _____________
Ms. Sushma Verma External Examiner
 AKNOWLEDGMENT
It gives me great pleasure to express our gratitude
towards our Chemistry teacher Ms. Sushma Verma
for her guidance, support and encouragment
throughout the duration of the project. Secondly I
would like to thank my parents and friends who
have helped me with their valuable suggestions
and guidance which has been helpful in various
phases of the completion of the project . Without
their motivation the successful completion of this
project would not have been possible.
 INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION

2. AIM

3. MATERIAL REQUIRED

4. COMPOSITION

5. PROCEDURE

6. RESULT

7. USES OF BRASS

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Small

amount of iron and lead are also present. This
dissolves in 50%nitric acid and generates the
ions of the constituting metals in solutions.
Presence of these ions in the solution can be
confirmed by qualitative inorganic analysis
scheme.

An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or

more metals or metals and non-metals. In
other words a solid solution of two or more
metals or a metal and a non-metal. It is
prepared by first melting the main metal, and
then, dissolving the other elements in it in a
definite proportion. It is then cooled to the
room temperature. If one of the metals is
mercury, then the alloy is known as amalgam.
The electrical conductivity of an alloy is less
than that of pure metals.
More than ten thousands alloys have been
prepared so far and about hundred of them
are in common use, for example, stainless
steel, brass, bronze, duralumin, soldering
metal, gun metal, etc. So large numbers of
alloys have been prepared because the
properties of the parent metals constituting
the alloy are modified a lot by alloy formation.
For example, pure copper metal is soft and
ductile, but when it is alloyed with small
amount of zinc, becomes hard.

Thus, alloys are made to improve the

following properties of metals:

• For increasing hardness

• For increasing tensile strength

• For increasing chemical resistance

• For lowering melting point

• For modifying colour

Alloys are prepared from the metals generally

by fusion technique. That is, metals are
converted first to molten state, mixed well
and then allowed to solidify again. A number
of methods, instrumental as well as chemical,
are known for finding out the constituents of
an alloy. In chemical method, first a solution
of the alloy is being prepared, and then
presence of various constituents can be
tested either by applying spot test i.e., making
use of different organic reagents or by
applying regular qualitative inorganic analysis
scheme.
 AIM

TO ANALYZE A SAMPLE OF BRASS

QUALITATIVELY.
 MATERIALS REQUIRED
 TEST TUBES

 TEST TUBE STAND

 CHINA DISH

 BEAKERS

 FUNNEL

 TEST TUBE HOLDER

 SAND PAPER

 FILTER PAPER

 COMMON LABORATORY REAGENTS

 COMPOSITION

Cu=60-90% and Zn=10-40%

Thus Cu and Zn form the main constituents of
brass. Both these metals dissolved in 50% of
nitric acid due to formation of nitrates which
are soluble.

 3Cu + 8HNO3 → 3Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO + 4H2O

 Cu + 8H + 2NO3 → Cu2+ + 2NO + 4H2O

 4Zn + 10HNO3 → 4Zn(NO2)2 + N2O + 5H2O

 4Zn + 2NO3 + 10H+ → 4Zn+2 + N2O + 5H2O

The solution is boiled to expel the oxides of nitrogen

and the resulting solution is tested for Cu2+ and Zn+2
ions.
 PROCEDURE

1. Place a small piece of brass in a china dish

and heat this with minimum quantity of 50%
HNO3 so as to dissolve the piece completely.

2. Continue heating the solution till a dry solid

residue is obtained.

3. Dissolve the solid residue in dil. Hydrochloric

acid and filter. Add distilled water to the
filtrate.

4. Pass H2S gas through the filtrate. A black

precipitate of copper sulphide is obtained
Separate the black ppt. and keep the filtrate
for the test of Zn+2 ions Dissolve black ppt. by
heating them with 50% HNO3. To this solution
add ammonium hydroxide solution.
Appearance of deep blue colouration in the
solution shows the presence of Cu2+ ions in
the solution.
5. To test Zn+2 ions, boil the filtrate to remove
H2S gas, then add solid NH4CI to this and heat
to dissolve NH4Cl. Add excess of NH4OH so
that the solution is ammonias. Dirt white or
Grey precipitate indicates zinc. Separate the
precipitates and dissolve it in minimum
amount of hydrochloric acid.

6. Boil to expel H2S gas and add potassium Ferro

cyanide solution. White or bluish precipitate
occurs which confirms Zn+2 ions in the
solution.
 CONCLUSION

The given sample of brass contains copper

and zinc metals as the main constituent.
 USES OF BRASS

Brass is a popular metal for applications that

are both practical and decorative. Items like
door handles, lamps, and ceiling fixtures like
lights and fans are examples of practical uses
that also serve a decorative purpose. Aside
from being attractive, brass also is resistant to
bacteria, making it that much more useful for
fixtures like door handles that multiple people
touch frequently. Some uses, such as figures
atop bedposts, are strictly decorative.

Many musical instruments also are made of

brass because it is a very workable metal and
can be formed into the sorts of precise shapes
necessary for horns, trumpets, trombones,
and tubas. These instruments, collectively, are
commonly known as the brass section of an
orchestra.

Because of its low friction and resistance to

corrosion, brass also is popular hardware for
plumbing fixtures and other building supplies.
Pipe fittings, nuts, and bolts are often made of
brass to take advantage of its characteristics.
Shell casings for ammunition also are a
popular use for brass, largely because of its
low friction.

Brass also is highly ductile, meaning it can be

shaped into a lot of shapes, making it a
popular alloy for use in precision instruments,
such as gauges and clocks.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 LAB MANUAL CLASS XII

www.wikipedia.com

 www.cbse.gov.in

 CHEMISTRY NCERT CLASS XII