How are alloys classified: mixtures or compounds?

Alloys are classified as mixtures, not compounds.

Alloys are a type of mixture known as a homogeneous mixture. They are formed when two or more metals, or a metal and a non-metal, are combined together. Unlike compounds, the elements in alloys do not combine in a fixed, definite proportion. Instead, they can be mixed together in any proportion to create an alloy.

The process of making an alloy involves melting the base metal, then mixing in the other elements while it is still in a liquid state. Once the mixture cools and solidifies, it forms a solid solution. This is different from a compound, where elements are chemically bonded together. In an alloy, the different elements are physically mixed together, but they do not bond chemically.

This is why alloys have different properties to the pure metals they are made from. For example, steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. It is much stronger and more durable than pure iron, but it is also more flexible and less brittle. This is because the carbon atoms fit into the gaps between the iron atoms, making the structure more stable.

Another example is bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze is harder and more durable than copper, but it is also more resistant to corrosion. This is because the tin atoms change the structure of the copper, making it more resistant to chemical reactions.

In conclusion, alloys are classified as mixtures because they are made by physically mixing different elements together. They are not compounds because the elements do not chemically bond together. Instead, they form a solid solution with different properties to the pure metals they are made from.