What is Aluminium?
Aluminium is a soft, silvery-white, malleable, nonmagnetic, boron-group metal.
It is the third most prevalent element in the crust of the Earth. Depending on the reference surface, the color of aluminium can range from silvery to dismal grey.
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The Atomic Mass of aluminium is 26.98 amu.
| Symbol of aluminium | Al |
| Atomic Number of aluminium | 13 |
| Atomic Mass of aluminium | 26.98 amu |
| Discovered by | Hans Christian Oersted in 1825 |
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 |
Properties of Aluminium
Various physical properties of aluminium are described in the following sections:
- The substance is quite reactive. It has roughly a third of the rigidity and density of steel.
- Aluminum has excellent corrosion resistance.
- It possesses superconductivity.
- There are numerous unidentified hydrogen isotopes with mass numbers ranging from twenty-one to forty-one.
Chemical Properties of Aluminium
1. Aluminum Reaction with HCl
At normal temperatures, aluminum reacts with diluted hydrochloric acid. The dissolution of aluminum in hydrochloric acid yields aluminum chloride and colorless hydrogen gas. The reaction between aluminum and hydrochloric acid cannot be reversed.
2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl₃ + 3H₂↑
2. Aluminum Reaction with Sodium hydroxide
Sodium aluminate is also produced by the reaction of sodium hydroxide with the amphoteric metal aluminium. Once developed, the reaction is highly exothermic and accompanied by the rapid development of hydrogen gas.
2NaOH + 2H2O → 2NaAlO2 + 3H.
3. Aluminum Reaction with water
A few millimeters thick film of aluminum oxide forms rapidly on aluminum metal, preventing it from interacting with water. According to the equation, aluminium and water react to produce hydrogen gas.
2Al + 3H2O → 3H2 + Al2O3
Uses of Aluminium
- As castings, it is utilized in the transportation of railways, trucks, and vehicles.
- It is employed for packing.
- Al(II) compounds are produced when Al metal reacts with oxidants.
- Using aluminon, aluminum can be discovered in qualitative analysis using aluminon.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q.1 Is aluminium a metal?
Aluminium is a lightweight, silvery-white metal. It is malleable and pliable. Cans, foils, culinary utensils, window frames, beer kegs, and airplane components are all made from aluminium. It is the second most malleable and sixth most ductile of all metals.
Q.2 Why is steel more affordable than aluminum?
Aluminium is considerably more costly than carbon steel. Aluminum repair is much more expensive than steel repair. The carbon component of steel makes it tougher, dent-resistant, and stress-resistant. Steel is resistant to warping, deformation, and bending when subjected to weight, force, or heat.
Q.3 What are aluminum’s three properties?
This is due to its unique characteristics. It has a low density, is non-toxic, possesses a high thermal conductivity, possesses great corrosion resistance, and can be cast, machined, and shaped with ease. Additionally, it is nonmagnetic and nonsparking. It is the second most malleable and sixth most ductile of all metals.
Q.4 What is the most valuable characteristic of aluminum alloys?
Pure aluminum is soft, ductile, resistant to corrosion, and possesses a high electrical conductivity. It is commonly used for foil and conductor cables, but it must be alloyed with other elements to meet the higher strength requirements of other uses.
Q.5 What are the two classifications of aluminium alloys?
There are two major groups, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys, which are further classified into heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable categories.
