A
solid solution is a
solid-
state solution of one or more
solutes in a
solvent. Such a
mixture is considered a solution rather than a
compound when the
crystal structure of the solvent remains unchanged by addition of the solutes, and when the mixture remains in a single homogeneous phase. This often happens when the two elements (generally
metals) involved are close together on the
periodic table; conversely, a chemical compound generally results when two metals involved are not near each other on the periodic table.