1. Alloys
By: Melissa Hoot

2. What is an Alloy?
Definition: A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other:
example: Brass (a combination of copper and zinc)

3. Alloy Examples:
Steel = Iron + Carbon

4. White Gold = Gold + Palladium
Alloy Examples:
White Gold = Gold + Palladium

5. Alloys Are Used For:
Brass: You learned what makes up brass, but what are those metals used for? Brass is used for plumbing, light fixtures, rivets, screws, and ships. Brass comes in multiple colors, and has varying properties because of different amounts of copper and zinc, and the additives of other elements.

6. Steel: Alloys Are Used For:
Steel is one of the strongest metals on earth due to it’s chemical make-up. The amount of carbon in the steel determines it’s properties. Steel with a high carbon content is hard and brittle, but steel with a low carbon content is malleable and can be welded and tooled.

7. Alloys Are Used For:
White Gold: The combination of Gold and Palladium makes white gold more valuable and more desirable then gold that is not fortified.

8. Relate to Chemistry:
Chemical Reactions: In chemistry you learned about chemical reactions. By adding elements to other elements you can change their properties and create alloys Physical and Chemical Properties: Alloy’s properties are determined by the elements that are combined to create them. For example: Steel’s properties vary depending on the amount of carbon added to the alloy. Mining and Refining: We learned different reasons to mine certain elements, and leave others in the ground. If an element can be used to make a valuable alloy then it is more likely to be mined, even if the element alone is not valuable.

9. Review Questions:
What were two of the three reasons from this power point that alloys are used?
What is an example of an alloy?

10. Sources: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/alloy
The Chemistry text book used in class