Question

What are alloys? Give two examples.

Answer 1

Hint: Alloys are solid materials that do not contain any non-metal atoms, and are generally good conductor electricity and heat. They react with acid to give hydrogen gas mostly.

Complete answer: Alloy is a solid solution made up of just metals. Metals taking part in the formation of alloy can be two or more.
- Alloy has some different properties than that of its constitutional metals such as increased hardness or increased strength but some properties of metals are also retained in alloys.
- It is believed that metallic bonds exist between the atoms of alloys. The alloy constituents are generally described by their mass percentages.

Examples:
1) Stainless Steel: It contains Iron as the main constitutional metal and alongside Chromium is also used around 10% by mass. Chromium avoids the corrosion of the alloy. Alongside these two metals, Titanium, Nickel, Copper, Aluminium and Carbon are also added in less amounts. As we all know Stainless steel is widely used in manufacture of utensils that we use in our day-to-day life.
2) Brass: It is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. Its constitution may be varied according to the need of some mechanical properties and electrical properties. It is widely used as jewellery because its Gold like colour and also is used in some utensils as well as in parts of industries.

Note: Do not get confused between Brass and Bronze as Bronze is an alloy of Copper and Tin and Brass is an alloy of Copper and Zinc. Remember that a solution of metal’s salt in any solvent is very different from an alloy.