Final answer:
Steel is formed by combining iron with carbon and other transition metals like chromium and nickel to produce alloys that are strong, hard, and resistant to corrosion.
The correct answer is 2).
Step-by-step explanation:
Steel is formed by combining iron, carbon, and transition metals such as chromium and nickel. In the steelmaking process, impurities are removed from the iron, and substances like manganese, chromium, nickel, tungsten, molybdenum, and vanadium are added to produce various alloys with different properties.
These elements impart qualities such as strength, hardness, and resistance to corrosion, making steel an essential material in construction and manufacturing. Most steels contain a small but significant amount of carbon, typically ranging from 0.04% to 2.5%. The carbon content is crucial as it affects the steel's hardness and strength; however, too much carbon can make the iron brittle, so it must be controlled during steel production.