9.3.4

Structural Diagrams of Alloys

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Structural Diagrams of Alloys

An alloy diagram shows an irregular pattern with different-sized atoms mixed in.

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Alloys

  • Alloys are a mixture of a metal with one or more other elements (which can be metals or non-metals).
  • The different-sized atoms disrupt the regular lattice structure.
    • This prevents the layers of atoms from easily sliding over each other.
    • This makes alloys harder, stronger, and less malleable than pure metals.
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Alloy structure

  • A structural diagram of an alloy will show atoms of at least two different sizes.
    • The smaller atoms are often in between the larger atoms.
  • A structural diagram of a pure metal will show atoms of only one size arranged in a repeating, orderly pattern.
  • This visual difference is the key to identifying an alloy from a diagram.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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