Question

Alloys are homogeneous mixtures of a metal with a metal or nonmetal. Which
among the following alloys contain non-metal as one of its constituents?
A. Brass
B. Bronze
C. Amalgam
D. Steel

Answer 1

Alloys contain metal and non-metals mixed in a homogenous manner. The properties of an alloy are totally different from its constituent elements. Examples of alloy are brass, amalgam, steel, phosphor bronze, pewter, etc.

Step by step answer: Brass – Brass is an alloy with bright yellow appearance. The constituent elements of brass are copper and zinc. Brass is an example of substitutional alloy i.e. the atoms of the component elements; copper and zinc may replace each other. The brass also contains small proportions of other elements like silicon, lead, aluminium, phosphorous, etc. Due to its low melting point, durability, electrical and thermal conductivity, brass is used for various purposes.
-Bronze – Bronze is also an alloy of copper and tin. It consists of $12 - 12.5\%$ tin. The bronze also consists of other metals like aluminium, nickel, zinc, etc. in very small amounts. Due to various properties like stiffness, ductility and non-corrosive, the bronze is used for various purposes.
-Amalgam- Amalgam is an alloy of mercury with other metals like tin, silver, copper, etc. Amalgam is mainly used for dental fillings and making dyes.
-Steel- Steel is an alloy comprising iron, carbon and magnesium. The carbon content is about $2\%$ and the magnesium is about $1\%$. Other elements present in the steel are silicon, phosphorus, oxygen and sulphur. Steel is an alloy of iron mainly with carbon.
Thus, steel is the alloy which contains non-metal.

Hence, option (D) Steel, is the correct option.

Note: Thus, steel is an alloy which is made up of iron, carbon and magnesium as well as small traces of oxygen, sulphur, silicon and phosphorus. So, steel is an alloy which also consists of non-metal.