Which outcome occurred when ancient Mesopotamians smelted copper ore containing arsenic impurities?

💡 Explanation

When copper ore containing arsenic was smelted in ancient Mesopotamia, a copper-arsenic alloy formed because arsenic acts as a solid solution strengthener within the copper matrix, increasing hardness. Therefore hardening resulted, rather than temperature drops, corrosion, or explosions, which require different material properties or reaction conditions.

• Which constraint limited the agricultural productivity of early maize cultivation in the Americas prior to nixtamalization?
• Which consequence arises when the wooden framework of a motte-and-bailey castle's ramparts experiences prolonged saturation?
• Which optical consequence resulted from medieval Islamic scholars grinding spherical lens surfaces for astronomical instruments?
• Which outcome limited the expansion of terrace farming by Andean civilizations despite its agricultural benefits?
• Which problem limited the agricultural output of inclined terraces in the pre-Columbian Andes?
• Which functional limitation arises from the projection method of medieval astrolabes onto a flat plane?