---
title: "Bronze is an alloy of copper (\\(\\text{Cu}\\)) and tin (\\(\\text{Sn}\\)), while carbon steel is an alloy of iron (\\(\\text{Fe}\\)) and carbon (\\(\\text{C}\\)). The atomic radius of \\(\\text{Cu}\\) is \\(128\\text{ pm}\\), \\(\\text{Sn}\\) is \\(140\\text{ pm}\\), \\(\\text{Fe}\\) is \\(126\\text{ pm}\\), and \\(\\text{C}\\) is \\(77\\text{ pm}\\). Which of the following pairs correctly identifies the alloy classification of bronze in Column 1 and the particulate-level explanation for why carbon steel is less malleable than pure iron in Column 2?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119691/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:12:03+00:00"
---

# Bronze is an alloy of copper (\(\text{Cu}\)) and tin (\(\text{Sn}\)), while carbon steel is an alloy of iron (\(\text{Fe}\)) and carbon (\(\text{C}\)). The atomic radius of \(\text{Cu}\) is \(128\text{ pm}\), \(\text{Sn}\) is \(140\text{ pm}\), \(\text{Fe}\) is \(126\text{ pm}\), and \(\text{C}\) is \(77\text{ pm}\). Which of the following pairs correctly identifies the alloy classification of bronze in Column 1 and the particulate-level explanation for why carbon steel is less malleable than pure iron in Column 2?

Bronze is an alloy of copper (\(\text{Cu}\)) and tin (\(\text{Sn}\)), while carbon steel is an alloy of iron (\(\text{Fe}\)) and carbon (\(\text{C}\)). The atomic radius of \(\text{Cu}\) is \(128\text{ pm}\), \(\text{Sn}\) is \(140\text{ pm}\), \(\text{Fe}\) is \(126\text{ pm}\), and \(\text{C}\) is \(77\text{ pm}\). Which of the following pairs correctly identifies the alloy classification of bronze in Column 1 and the particulate-level explanation for why carbon steel is less malleable than pure iron in Column 2?

- **A.** | Substitutional | \(\text{C}\) atoms substitute for \(\text{Fe}\) atoms in lattice sites, expanding the lattice and allowing atomic layers to slide past one another more easily |
- **B.** | Substitutional | \(\text{C}\) atoms occupy interstitial spaces between \(\text{Fe}\) atoms, creating lattice strain and impeding the sliding of atomic layers past one another |
- **C.** | Interstitial | \(\text{C}\) atoms occupy interstitial spaces between \(\text{Fe}\) atoms, creating lattice strain and impeding the sliding of atomic layers past one another |
- **D.** | Interstitial | \(\text{C}\) atoms substitute for \(\text{Fe}\) atoms in lattice sites, expanding the lattice and allowing atomic layers to slide past one another more easily |

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119691/*