Question

Ornamental gold-containing copper is an example of what type of solution?

Answer 1

Hint: Ornamental gold and copper are two solids that are mixed together. However in this, both the solute and the solvent are solids, Whereas in other types of solutions, either both solute and solvent are liquid or solute is solid and the solvent is liquid.

Complete step by step solution:
A solid solution is a solid-state solution of one or more solutes in a solvent. Such a multi-component system is considered a solution rather than a compound when the crystal structure of the solvent remains unchanged by the addition of the solutes, and when the chemical components remain in a single homogeneous phase.
There are two types of solid solution:
If the atoms of the solvent metal and solute element are of similar sizes (not more than 15% difference), they form a substitutional solid solution, where part of the solvent atoms are substituted by atoms of the alloying element.
If the atoms of the alloying elements are considerably smaller than the atoms of the matrix metal, interstitial solid solution forms, where the matrix solute atoms are located in the spaces between large solvent atoms.
Solid solution formation usually causes an increase in electrical resistance and mechanical strength and decrease of the plasticity of the alloy.
Ornamental gold-containing copper is an example of a solid solution. In this case, both solute and solvent are solids.

Note: This often happens when the two elements (generally metals) involved are close together on the periodic table; conversely, a chemical compound generally results when two metals involved are not near each other on the periodic table.