What is the melting point of tin and lead?

• A. 361 Fahrenheit
• B. 450 Fahrenheit
• C. 300 Fahrenheit
• D. 420 Fahrenheit

Answer: (A)

In soldering practice, tin and lead are used as a eutectic alloy that melts at a single, relatively low temperature. The standard tin-lead solder (around 60/40 Sn-Pb) melts at about 183°C, which is roughly 361°F. That is why 361 Fahrenheit is the correct choice here—the question is referring to the melting point of the tin-lead solder alloy, not the melting points of the pure elements themselves.

If you think about the pure elements, tin melts around 231.9°C (449°F) and lead around 327.5°C (621°F). Those higher temperatures aren’t what’s typically used for solder joints, which is why the solder’s melting point, 361°F, is the relevant value in this context.