Final answer:
10-karat gold is best described as a homogeneous mixture consisting of 10 parts gold and other metals.
Therefore, the correct answer is: option 'homogeneous mixture'
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that best describes 10-karat gold is a homogeneous mixture. A homogeneous mixture is a combination of different substances that are evenly distributed throughout, giving it a uniform composition and appearance.
In the case of 10-karat gold, it consists of 10 parts gold and 14 parts other metals, such as copper or silver. This mixture creates a lower karat gold compared to 20-karat gold, which is a higher karat gold made by melting gold with other metals.
It's not a pure substance because it contains more than one element; it's not a compound because the atoms of the different elements are not bonded chemically in a fixed ratio; and it's not a heterogeneous mixture because the different metals are thoroughly mixed, providing consistent composition throughout the piece of gold.