Which statement below describes a characteristic of Wood's metal (Lipowitz alloy)?

Which statement below describes a characteristic of Wood's metal (Lipowitz alloy)?

• A. It has a melting point around 158 degrees
• B. It is a nonfusing alloy
• C. It melts at 500 degrees
• D. It conducts electricity at high frequency

Answer: (A)

Wood's metal is a fusible, low-melting-point alloy. Its defining property is that it melts at a relatively low temperature, about 70°C, which is roughly 158°F. That makes the statement describing a melting point around 158 degrees the best descriptor. Other statements don’t fit because Wood’s metal does melt (it is not nonfusing) and its melting point is far lower than 500 degrees. While it is a metal and conducts electricity like many metals, describing its behavior at high frequency isn’t a characteristic used to identify Wood’s metal; the key feature is its low melting point.

Wood's metal is a fusible, low-melting-point alloy. Its defining property is that it melts at a relatively low temperature, about 70°C, which is roughly 158°F. That makes the statement describing a melting point around 158 degrees the best descriptor. Other statements don’t fit because Wood’s metal does melt (it is not nonfusing) and its melting point is far lower than 500 degrees. While it is a metal and conducts electricity like many metals, describing its behavior at high frequency isn’t a characteristic used to identify Wood’s metal; the key feature is its low melting point.