Aluminium: Element Overview

Basic Information

• Symbol: Al
• Atomic Number: 13
• Atomic Weight: 26.9815385 u
• Element Category: Post-transition metal
• Group: 13
• Period: 3

Physical Properties

• Phase at Room Temperature: Solid
• Melting Point: 660.32 °C (1220.58 °F)
• Boiling Point: 2519 °C (4566 °F)
• Density: 2.70 g/cm³ at 20 °C
• Color: Silvery-white

Chemical Properties

• Electronegativity: 1.61 (Pauling scale)
• Ionization Energies:
  • First: 577.5 kJ/mol
  • Second: 1816.7 kJ/mol
  • Third: 2744.8 kJ/mol

Isotopes

• Stable Isotopes: Aluminium has one stable isotope: Al-27.
• Radioisotopes: Al-26, with a half-life of 720,000 years, used in radiodating.

Occurrence and Production

• Natural Abundance: Aluminium is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust (about 8.23% by weight).
• Sources: Found in minerals like bauxite, cryolite, and feldspar.
• Production: Primarily produced by the Bayer process and the Hall-Héroult process.

Uses and Applications

• Construction: Used in building materials, such as window frames, roofing, and cladding.
• Transportation: Used in the manufacture of aircraft, cars, trucks, and bicycles due to its lightweight and strength.
• Packaging: Used for cans, foils, and kitchen utensils.
• Electrical: Used in electrical transmission lines due to its good conductivity.
• Consumer Goods: Used in household items, such as appliances and furniture.
• Alloys: Combined with other metals to form alloys with improved properties for specific applications.

Safety and Precautions

• Reactivity: Aluminium is reactive but forms a protective oxide layer that prevents further corrosion.
• Handling: Generally safe to handle in most forms. Powdered aluminium can be flammable and explosive.
• Health: Aluminium exposure is generally low and not considered harmful, but excessive exposure can have health effects.

Biological Role

• Non-essential Element: Aluminium has no known biological role in the human body and is not essential for life.

Historical Background

• Discovery: Aluminium was first isolated by Hans Christian Ørsted in 1825.
• Naming: The name “aluminium” comes from the Latin word “alumen,” meaning alum.

Interesting Facts

• Lightweight Metal: Aluminium is the most widely used non-ferrous metal.
• Recycling: Aluminium is highly recyclable and retains its properties after recycling.
• Reflectivity: Aluminium is highly reflective, making it useful in mirrors and reflective coatings.

Summary

Aluminium is a post-transition metal known for its lightweight, strength, and versatility. It is widely used in construction, transportation, packaging, and consumer goods. Discovered in the early 19th century, aluminium is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. It forms protective oxide layers, making it resistant to corrosion. Aluminium has no known essential biological role but is a crucial material in modern industry due to its recyclability and wide range of applications.

Questions and Answers about Aluminium:

1. Q: What is the chemical symbol for Aluminium?

   • A: Al

2. Q: What is the atomic number of Aluminium?

   • A: 13

3. Q: What type of element is Aluminium?

   • A: Post-transition metal

4. Q: What is the atomic weight of Aluminium?

   • A: 26.9815385 u

5. Q: What group is Aluminium in?

   • A: Group 13

6. Q: What period is Aluminium in?

   • A: Period 3

7. Q: What is the phase of Aluminium at room temperature?

   • A: Solid

8. Q: What is the melting point of Aluminium?

   • A: 660.32 °C (1220.58 °F)

9. Q: What is the boiling point of Aluminium?

   • A: 2519 °C (4566 °F)

10. Q: What is the density of Aluminium at 20 °C?

    • A: 2.70 g/cm³

11. Q: What is the color of Aluminium metal?

    • A: Silvery-white

12. Q: What is the electronegativity of Aluminium?

    • A: 1.61 (Pauling scale)

13. Q: What is the first ionization energy of Aluminium?

    • A: 577.5 kJ/mol

14. Q: How many stable isotopes does Aluminium have?

    • A: One (Al-27)

15. Q: What is the most common isotope of Aluminium?

    • A: Al-27

16. Q: How is Aluminium commercially produced?

    • A: By the Bayer process and the Hall-Héroult process

17. Q: What is the natural abundance of Aluminium in the Earth’s crust?

    • A: About 8.23%

18. Q: What common mineral contains Aluminium?

    • A: Bauxite

19. Q: What industry uses Aluminium extensively for building materials?

    • A: Construction industry

20. Q: What is one use of Aluminium in transportation?

    • A: Manufacture of aircraft

21. Q: What is Aluminium used for in packaging?

    • A: Cans and foils

22. Q: Why is Aluminium used in electrical transmission lines?

    • A: Due to its good conductivity

23. Q: What consumer goods commonly contain Aluminium?

    • A: Household items like appliances and furniture

24. Q: Why does Aluminium form alloys with other metals?

    • A: To improve its properties for specific applications

25. Q: What protective layer does Aluminium form?

    • A: Oxide layer

26. Q: How should powdered Aluminium be handled?

    • A: With care, as it can be flammable and explosive

27. Q: Does Aluminium have any essential biological role?

    • A: No, it has no known biological role

28. Q: Who first isolated Aluminium?

    • A: Hans Christian Ørsted

29. Q: In what year was Aluminium isolated?

    • A: 1825

30. Q: What is the origin of the name “Aluminium”?

    • A: From the Latin word “alumen”

31. Q: Is Aluminium recyclable?

    • A: Yes, it is highly recyclable

32. Q: What makes Aluminium useful in mirrors?

    • A: Its high reflectivity

33. Q: What is the second ionization energy of Aluminium?

    • A: 1816.7 kJ/mol

34. Q: What is the third ionization energy of Aluminium?

    • A: 2744.8 kJ/mol

35. Q: Is Aluminium the most widely used non-ferrous metal?

    • A: Yes

36. Q: What does Aluminium contribute to in water?

    • A: N/A (This element does not have a specific role in water)

37. Q: What role does Aluminium play in the automotive industry?

    • A: Used in the manufacture of lightweight vehicles

38. Q: How does Aluminium resist corrosion?

    • A: By forming a protective oxide layer

39. Q: Is Aluminium found in cryolite?

    • A: Yes

40. Q: What is Aluminium’s role in the electronics industry?

    • A: Used in components such as capacitors and conductive tracks