Aluminum - Al

Aluminium
Symbol of aluminium Al
Atomic Number of aluminium 13
Atomic Mass of aluminium 26.98 amu
Discovered by Hans Christian Oersted in 1825

The Atomic Mass of aluminium is 26.98 amu.

Table of Contents

Element Information

Group 13 Melting point 660.323°C, 1220.581°F, 933.473 K
Period 3 Boiling point 2519°C, 4566°F, 2792 K
Block p Density (g cm−3) 2.70
Atomic number 13 Relative atomic mass 26.982
State at 20°C Solid Key isotopes 27Al
Electron configuration [Ne] 3s23p1 CAS number 7429-90-5
ChemSpider ID 4514248 ChemSpider is a free chemical structure database

What is Aluminium?

Aluminium is a soft, silvery-white, ductile, nonmagnetic metal in the boron group.

It is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. Depending on the surface reference, aluminium appears in the range from silvery to dull grey.

Properties of Aluminium

Various physical properties of aluminium have been discussed below:

  • The element is highly reactive. It has about one-third of stiffness and density of steel.
  • Aluminium has good corrosion resistivity.
  • It is capable of superconductivity.
  • They are many unknown isotopes of hydrogen with the mass number ranging from twenty-one to forty-one.

Chemical Properties of Aluminium

1. Aluminum Reaction with HCl

Aluminum reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid at room temperature. The metal aluminium dissolves in hydrochloric acid, producing aluminum chloride and colorless hydrogen gas. The reaction taking place between aluminium and hydrochloric acid is irreversible.

2Al + 6HCl → 2Al­Cl₃ + 3H₂↑

2. Aluminum Reaction with Sodium hydroxide

Sodium aluminate is also formed by the action of sodium hydroxide on elemental aluminium which is an amphoteric metal. The reaction is highly exothermic once established and is accompanied by the rapid evolution of hydrogen gas.

2NaOH + 2H2O → 2NaAlO2 + 3H.

3. Aluminum Reaction with water

Aluminum metal rapidly develops a thin layer of aluminum oxide of a few millimeters that prevents the metal from reacting with water. Aluminium reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas according to the equation.

2Al + 3H2O → 3H2 + Al2O3

Uses of Aluminium

  • It is used in the transportation of railway, trucks, automobiles as castings.
  • It is used in packaging.
  • Al(II) compounds are observed in the reactions of Al metal with oxidants.
  • Using aluminon the presence of aluminium can be detected in qualitative analysis.


Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

Is aluminium a metal?

Aluminium is a silvery-white, lightweight metal. It is soft and malleable. Aluminium is used in a huge variety of products including cans, foils, kitchen utensils, window frames, beer kegs and aeroplane parts. It is the second most malleable metal and the sixth most ductile.

Q2

Why is steel cheaper than aluminium?

Aluminium is much more expensive than carbon steel. Repairing aluminium is also more expensive than repairing steel. Steel’s carbon content makes it harder, more dent resistant, and more durable when stressed. Steel is strong and less likely to warp, deform or bend under weight, force or heat.

Q3

What are the three properties of aluminium?

This is because of its particular properties. It has low density, is non-toxic, has a high thermal conductivity, has excellent corrosion resistance and can be easily cast, machined and formed. It is also non-magnetic and non-sparking. It is the second most malleable metal and the sixth most ductile.

Q4

What is the main useful property of Aluminium alloys?

Pure aluminium is soft, ductile, corrosion resistant and has a high electrical conductivity. It is widely used for foil and conductor cables, but alloying with other elements is necessary to provide the higher strengths needed for other applications.

Q5

What are the two classifications of aluminium alloys?

There are two principal classifications, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys, both of which are further subdivided into the categories heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable.

Related Elements

Hydrogen Nickel Neon Potassium
Helium Copper Sodium Calcium
Lithium Zinc Magnesium Scandium
Beryllium Gallium Cobalt Titanium
Boron Germanium Silicon Vanadium
Carbon Arsenic Phosphorus Chromium
Nitrogen Selenium Sulfur Manganese
Oxygen Bromine Chlorine Iron
Fluorine Krypton Argon

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Frequently asked questions

1. Who discovered aluminium?

Ans: Hans Christian Orsted.

2. What is the atomic mass of aluminium?

Ans: The atomic mass of aluminium is 26.98 amu.

3. Aluminium belongs to which period?

Ans: 3.

4. Aluminium belongs to which group?

Ans: Aluminium is a group 13 element.

5. Aluminium is a ____ block element.

Ans: p.

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