“German silver” (also called nickel silver) is used for decorative items and cutlery. Which constituent metal is present in the maximum proportion in this alloy?

Introduction / Context:
German silver, despite its name, contains no elemental silver. It is prized for its silvery appearance and corrosion resistance in decorative hardware and musical instruments. Knowing its composition helps explain properties and cost.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Alloy system: Cu–Ni–Zn (nickel silver).
• No precious metal content in typical commercial grades.

Concept / Approach:
Nickel silver alloys are copper based, typically containing the highest fraction of copper with additional nickel and zinc to achieve color, strength, and corrosion resistance. The bright “silver” look is due to nickel, but copper remains the major constituent by mass.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify common ranges: copper ~50–65%, zinc ~15–30%, nickel ~10–25%.2) Compare relative proportions: copper is consistently the largest component.3) Conclude that copper is present in the maximum percentage.

Verification / Alternative check:
Manufacturers’ datasheets for nickel silver grades (e.g., CuNi18Zn20) confirm copper-rich formulations, validating the selection.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Silver: not present; name is historical due to color.
Zinc and nickel: important for color and strength but not the largest fraction.
Tin: not a standard constituent of German silver alloys.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “German silver” must contain silver; relying on color as a composition clue leads to incorrect conclusions.

Final Answer:
copper