Question:
What are the favourable qualities given to gold when it is alloyed with copper or silver for the purpose of making ornaments?
Solution:
Pure gold (24 carats) is very soft and cannot be used for making ornaments. It is alloyed with a small quantity of copper or silver and becomes hard (22 carats). It can be drawn into wires (becomes ductile) or beaten into fine sheets (becomes malleable). It can, therefore, be used for making ornaments.