Which one of the following statements is correct?

An alloy is defined as a homogeneous mixture of two or more elements, where at least one of the components must be a metal [2]. Unlike compounds, alloys do not have a fixed ratio of elements and exist over a range of compositions. While many alloys consist solely of metals, such as brass (copper and zinc) and bronze (copper and tin), they can also be formed by mixing a metal with a non-metal [1][2][4]. For instance, steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, where carbon is a non-metal [4]. However, not all alloys contain carbon; for example, brass and bronze do not [1][4]. Therefore, the statement that alloys are mixtures is the only universally correct option, as they are specifically classified as mixtures rather than chemical compounds [1].

Sources

1. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Metals and Non-metals > 3.5.1 Prevention of Corrosion > p. 54
2. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: Nature of Matter: Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures > A step further > p. 118
3. [4] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/alloy