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

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Solution

An amalgam is a homogenous mixture of metal in mercury whereas an alloy is a homogenous mixture of two molten metals (or a non-metal) generally made for improving one or more properties of metals.

Example: When sodium dissolves in mercury, it forms sodium amalgam.
When zinc and copper combined, an alloy named brass is formed.

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