Alloys are defined as:

• A. Mixtures of metals
• B. Pure metals with no impurities
• C. Compounds formed by non-metals only
• D. Gases dissolved in metals

Answer: (A)

Alloys are substances formed by blending elements, usually metals, to achieve properties different from the constituents. This makes the description “mixtures of metals” the best fit, since the material is not a pure metal but a blend that alters characteristics like strength or hardness. For example, steel is iron with carbon, and brass is copper with zinc, each giving different properties than the pure metals alone. The idea of a pure metal with no impurities isn’t correct because an alloy by definition involves combining elements. It isn’t restricted to compounds formed by non-metals only, and gases dissolved in metals describe a solution rather than an alloy.