Question

The metal which is always present in an amalgam is ______.

Options

• iron

• aluminium

• mercury

• magnesium

Answer 1

The metal which is always present in an amalgam is mercury.

Explanation:

An amalgam is a specific type of alloy formed by dissolving one or more metals into liquid mercury. Therefore, mercury must always be present as a base component for the mixture to be classified as an amalgam. Other metals such as zinc, silver, or sodium can be added to it, but iron does not readily form an amalgam and is often used to store liquid mercury instead.