Amalgam of mercury with sodium is an example of _____ solution.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → liquid in solid
Binary solutions are classified by the physical state of the solute and of the solvent, and the solvent decides the physical state of the solution. In the book’s table of the types of solutions (extract below), amalgam of mercury with sodium is the example of a solid solution whose solute is a liquid.
Liquid mercury is dissolved in solid sodium, so sodium amalgam is a liquid in solid solution.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) solid in liquid — Incorrect. This is the type of glucose dissolved in water; here the solute (mercury) is a liquid and the solvent (sodium) is a solid.
Option (2) solid in solid — Incorrect. This is the type of copper dissolved in gold; mercury is a liquid, not a solid.
Option (4) liquid in liquid — Incorrect. This is the type of ethanol dissolved in water; here the solvent (sodium) is a solid.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Types of Solutions – …
Note: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29-05 S2 21-05 S2 | – | – | – | – |