German silver, also called nickel silver, is an alloy used in utensils and decorative items. How much real silver does German silver contain?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge about a common alloy called German silver or nickel silver. Despite its name, it is not actually a silver alloy in the precious metal sense. Understanding the composition of such alloys is part of general knowledge in chemistry and helps avoid confusion created by traditional names that may not reflect true composition.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The material in question is German silver, also known as nickel silver.
• We are asked how much actual silver it contains.
• Options suggest various percentages of silver, including zero.

Concept / Approach:
German silver is an alloy typically made from copper, zinc, and nickel. It has a silvery appearance, which is why it gained this name, but it does not actually contain elemental silver. The name refers to its color rather than its composition. Therefore, the correct answer is that German silver contains no real silver, that is, 0 percent silver.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Metallurgy and material science references list German silver compositions and clearly state that no silver is included. Jeweller guides warn that nickel silver items that look like silver are actually base metal alloys without precious metal content. This confirmation appears in multiple technical and consumer references, making the answer reliable.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• 100 percent pure silver: That would simply be silver metal, not an alloy called German silver.
• About 10 percent silver: There is no standard composition that includes silver in German silver.
• About 1 percent silver: Even trace levels of silver are not part of the usual formulation.
• About 50 percent silver: This would be a high value precious metal alloy, not the base metal alloy sold as nickel silver.

Common Pitfalls:
The main confusion comes from the misleading name. People often assume that anything with the word silver in its name must contain silver. Similar confusion can occur with other trade names and alloys. It is important to rely on composition data rather than names alone when answering exam questions or making purchasing decisions about metals and jewellery.

Final Answer:
German silver contains 0 percent silver and is actually an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel.