Which of the following metals is commonly alloyed with copper to make brass?

The metal that is commonly alloyed with copper to make brass is zinc. Brass is an alloy made by combining copper and zinc in varying proportions.

Alloys are materials made by mixing two or more metals together. By combining copper and zinc, we create brass, which has different properties than copper or zinc alone.

Zinc is chosen as the common metal to alloy with copper because it has a lower melting point and is more affordable compared to other metals like iron, nickel, or aluminum. This makes it easier and cheaper to produce brass.

Brass has many useful properties that make it a popular material for various applications. It has good corrosion resistance, making it suitable for use in plumbing fittings and musical instruments. It is also easily malleable, meaning it can be shaped into different forms without breaking.

In conclusion, zinc is commonly alloyed with copper to make brass due to its lower melting point, affordability, and the desirable properties it imparts to the alloy.