In order to understand why an alloy is both a mixture and a solution, you need to understand exactly what the terms "mixture" and "solution" mean when used in the field of chemistry.
In chemistry, the term "mixture" is used when two substances are combined together, but neither substance changes its chemical identity. That is to say that both substances stay chemically the same - they do not merge together to create a new substance, nor does a chemical reaction between the two substances take place which alters one or both of the substances.
The term "mixture" can be used to describe an alloy because, although the alloy may contain a number of different metals, the metals are still distinct and separate from one another - their chemical structures have not changed.
The term "solution" is used when two substances of the same state are combined together. For example, a solution of a gaseous state would be air, because it contains gas particles. However, lemonade would not be a solution, because it contains both liquid and gas particles.
The term "solution" can applied to an alloy because, usually, the metals in an alloy are melted into a liquid and then mixed together, before being solidified. As a result, all of the components of the solid are in the same state, so the term "solution" can be used to describe an alloy.
An alloy is a substance made up of a number of different metallic elements or substances. Alloys are usually made in order to combine the properties of different metals. For example, one metal may have a high melting point, but may be very weak, while another metal may have a low melting point, but may be very strong. Combining these two metals in the right proportions will create a substance with the best characteristics of both metals.
- The term "mixture" in chemistry
In chemistry, the term "mixture" is used when two substances are combined together, but neither substance changes its chemical identity. That is to say that both substances stay chemically the same - they do not merge together to create a new substance, nor does a chemical reaction between the two substances take place which alters one or both of the substances.
- The term "mixture" when applied to an alloy
The term "mixture" can be used to describe an alloy because, although the alloy may contain a number of different metals, the metals are still distinct and separate from one another - their chemical structures have not changed.
- The term "solution" in chemistry
The term "solution" is used when two substances of the same state are combined together. For example, a solution of a gaseous state would be air, because it contains gas particles. However, lemonade would not be a solution, because it contains both liquid and gas particles.
- The term "solution" when applied to an alloy
The term "solution" can applied to an alloy because, usually, the metals in an alloy are melted into a liquid and then mixed together, before being solidified. As a result, all of the components of the solid are in the same state, so the term "solution" can be used to describe an alloy.
- What is an alloy?
An alloy is a substance made up of a number of different metallic elements or substances. Alloys are usually made in order to combine the properties of different metals. For example, one metal may have a high melting point, but may be very weak, while another metal may have a low melting point, but may be very strong. Combining these two metals in the right proportions will create a substance with the best characteristics of both metals.
