Free state or combined state are the:

Free state or combined state are the states of metals. Metals can exist in two states: Free state: In this state, metals are found in their pure, elemental form, without combining with other elements. Examples include gold, platinum, and sometimes copper, which can be found in their free state in nature. Combined state: In this state, metals are combined with other elements, typically forming compounds. Most metals are found in nature in this state as ores, which are minerals containing metals chemically combined with other elements, such as oxygen or sulfur.