Aluminium
Review
Aluminium
Content
1. Introduction
2. Characteristics
3. Isotopes
4. Natural occurrence
5. Production and refinement
6. Recycling
7. Chemistry
7.1 Oxidation state +1
7.2 Oxidation state +2
7.3 Oxidation state +3
7.4 Analysis
8. Applications
8.1 General use
8.2 Aluminium compounds
8.3 Aluminium alloys in structural applications
8.4 Household wiring
9. History
10.1 Nomenclature history
10.2 Present-day spelling
11. Health concerns
12. Effect on plants
13. Conclusion
14. References
1. Introduction
Aluminium is a silvery white and
ductile member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al;
its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances.
Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, and the third most
abundant element therein, after oxygen and silicon. It makes up about 8% by
weight of the Earth’s solid surface. Aluminium is too reactive chemically to
occur in nature as a free metal. Instead, it is found combined in over 270
different minerals.[4] The chief source of aluminium is bauxite ore.
Aluminium is remarkable for its
ability to resist corrosion due to the phenomenon of passivation and for the
metal's low density. Structural components made from aluminium and its alloys
are vital to the aerospace industry and very important in other areas of
transportation and building. Its reactive nature makes it useful as a catalyst
or additive in chemical mixtures, including being used in ammonium nitrate
explosives to enhance blast power.
General properties
Name, symbol, number aluminium, Al,
13
Element category other metal
Group, period, block 13, 3, p
Standard atomic weight
26.9815386(13) g·mol−1
Electron configuration [Ne] 3s2 3p1
Electrons per shell 2, 8, 3 (Image)
Physical properties
Phase solid
Density (near r.t.) 2.70 g·cm−3
Liquid density at m.p. 2.375 g·cm−3
Boiling point 2792 K,2519 °C,