What are the chemical properties of bronze as opposed to the physical properties of bronze?

Bronze is a homogeneous mixture of copper and tin. Mixtures of solid metals are called alloys. Modern bronze is composed of 88% copper and 12% tin.

A physical property is a property that can be observed without changing the identity of the substance that is being observed. Physical properties of bronze include: 

• Bronze is a solid at room temperature.


• Bronze is copper-colored.


• Bronze is odorless.


• Bronze has melting point of ~950 degrees C to 1050 degrees C.


• Bronze has a relative density of ~8.8 g/cc.


• Bronze is insoluble in water.


• Bronze is ductile.


• Bronze is a good conductor of heat.


• Bronze is a good conductor of electricity.


• Bronze is harder than copper or iron.


• Bronze has low friction properties.

A chemical property is a property whose observation results in a change in the identity of the substance. Chemical properties of bronze include:

• Bronze can oxidize in air, resulting in a thin film of copper oxide on the surface.


• Bronze can react with many pollutants, especially those containing sulfur compounds.


• Bronze can react with chlorine compounds resulting in the formation of copper chloride, which continues to corrode the bronze. This process is called "bronze disease."


• Bronze resists seawater corrosion.


• Bronze can react with strong acids, producing hydrogen gas.


• Bronze is stable at room temperature.