Question

Many pure metals like copper, iron and gold are very soft and as such are considered unsuitable for certain uses. Metallic objects around us such as cooking utensils, statues, ornaments, guns etc. are actually not made up of pure metals. Instead of pure metals, alloys are used in the design of most of the useful objects. Making alloys enhances the basic properties of a metal which is the primary constituent (metal) of an alloy.
How does electrical conductivity and melting point of a metal change when it is converted to its alloy by mixing a small amount of an element in it?

Hint:

Alloying generally reduces the electrical conductivity and the melting point of a metal. The change depends on the type and amount of the alloying element.

Answer 1

When a metal becomes an alloy by incorporating a small amount of another element, its electrical conductivity and melting point usually change as follows: 1. Electrical Conductivity: Alloy formation typically reduces a metal's electrical conductivity. The added element disrupts the metal's regular atomic structure, hindering electron flow. - Pure metals exhibit high electrical conductivity due to free electron movement. Alloys, however, present obstacles to electron flow because of the foreign atoms, thereby lowering conductivity. 2. Melting Point: Alloying often lowers a metal's melting point. The second element's presence disrupts the metal's crystal lattice uniformity, making the alloy easier to melt than the pure metal. For instance, adding zinc to copper to create brass lowers the melting point and decreases electrical conductivity.