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Which of the following pairs of elements is most likely to create an interstitial alloy? (A) Titanium and copper (B) Aluminum and lead (C) Silver and tin (D) Magnesium and calcium

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Final answer:

The pair most likely to form an interstitial alloy is Titanium and Copper, as interstitial alloys occur when smaller atoms fit into the spaces between larger metal atoms, and Copper's smaller atomic radius can potentially fit into the interstices of Titanium's crystal structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which pair of elements is most likely to create an interstitial alloy, we need to consider the size difference between the atoms and the possibility of smaller atoms fitting into the interstices (spaces) between larger metal atoms in the crystal structure.

Among the options provided, Titanium (Ti) and Copper (Cu) is most likely to form an interstitial alloy. Titanium has a relatively large atomic radius and is often used as the host metal, while smaller non-metal atoms such as carbon or nitrogen—and in some cases smaller metal atoms—can occupy the interstitial sites. Copper, while not a small non-metal, has a smaller atomic radius compared to titanium and can, under specific conditions, diffuse into the interstices of titanium's crystalline structure. This cannot be easily achieved with metals of similar sizes or larger atomic radii.

Aluminum (Al) and Lead (Pb), Silver (Ag) and Tin (Sn), and Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca) are not suitable pairs for interstitial alloys as they typically form substitutional alloys, where the atoms replace each other in the crystal structure due to their similar atomic sizes.

User Steinway Wu
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Final answer:

Titanium and copper (A) are the most likely to create an interstitial alloy, as the titanium has the capacity to accommodate the smaller copper atoms in its interstitial spaces.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question at hand is which pair of elements is most likely to create an interstitial alloy. An interstitial alloy is formed when smaller atoms fit between larger atoms in a crystal packing arrangement. Considering the sizes of the atoms in the given element pairs, Titanium and copper (A) is the most likely pair to create an interstitial alloy. Titanium has a relatively large atomic structure that can accommodate smaller atoms such as those of copper in its interstices. This aspect is important in alloy formation because the difference in atom sizes enables the smaller atoms to fit into the interstitial spaces of the larger atom's crystalline structure.

User Shoejep
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