![]() Most aluminum metal used in industry is an alloy where aluminum is combined with other elements such as copper, zinc, silicon, and magnesium. ![]() ![]() It is often used as a metal because of its light weight. Modern processes allow for aluminum to be obtained from bauxite fairly cheaply allowing for the metal to be used in a number of applications.īecause of its abundance, low cost, and useful qualities, aluminum is used in thousands of products. Fortunately, the ore bauxite contains large amounts of aluminum oxide. It is generally found on Earth in minerals and compounds such as feldspar, beryl, cryolite, and turquoise.Įxtracting aluminum from minerals, however, is very expensive. Other important characteristics of aluminum include low density (which is only around three times that of water), ductility (which allows it to be stretched into a wire), and malleability (which means it can be easily formed into a thin sheet).Īluminum is the third most abundant element and the most abundant metal found in the Earth's crust. This prevents further corrosion and rusting. When it is exposed to the air, a thin layer of aluminum oxide is formed on the surface of the metal. Pure aluminum is a very reactive element and is rarely found on Earth in its free form.Īluminum acts as an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, but is non-magnetic. In standard conditions aluminum is a fairly soft, strong, and lightweight metal. There are 3 valence electrons in the outer shell. Aluminum atoms contain 13 electrons and 13 protons. It is classified as a post-transition metal and a "poor metal". Discovered by: Hans Orsted in 1825, first isolated by Friedrich Wohler in 1827Īluminum is the second element in the thirteenth column of the periodic table.
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