Question

What is an amalgam? How does an amalgam differ from an alloy?

Answer 1

An amalgam is defined as the mixture of mercury with any other metal of the periodic table or existing in nature. The amalgam mixture is a homogeneous mixture. While alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two metals mixed in their molten state with each other.

Complete answer:
Now in the above question we are being asked what exactly is amalgam. Now generally amalgam means a mixture or a blend of two substances. Now in chemistry amalgam is defined as the homogeneous mixture of mercury with any other metal to form a mixture. The amalgam finally formed can assume any state being solid, liquid or gas. Almost every metal that exists in the periodic table has the potential to form their amalgam. These amalgams are foamed by the metallic bonding between the metal and mercury. These metals ions are attracted to the surface and mixed with the help of electrostatic force.
Now what is an alloy? An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two metals. These two metals are reacted with each other or we should say properly mixed with each other after converting the two metals in their molten state. An alloy has no specificity to what metal needs to be mixed with a specific metal. Now in an alloy the two metals can be any metal Amon =g the periodic table.
Giving an example, sodium gets dissolved in mercury to form sodium amalgam, while zinc and copper get combined in their often state to form an alloy named brass.

Note:
An alloy is formed because it helps provide the primary metal which is in greater concentration to have physical or chemical properties of the secondary metal that is being mixed. Brass is a very well-known alloy and used for making many utensils.