Brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc. Compare the properties of brass with those of pure copper, and explain why brass is more suitable than pure copper for making door fittings such as hinges and handles.

Brass is harder and stronger than pure copper because the zinc atoms are a different size to copper atoms and disrupt the regular arrangement of the crystal lattice, making the layers of atoms less able to slide over each other.

Pure copper has a regular lattice of identical atoms, so the layers can slide easily, giving it a lower hardness and poorer wear resistance.

Because brass is harder and more resistant to wear, it does not deform or wear out quickly when used as hinges or handles, making it more suitable for door fittings than pure copper.