Al
Aluminum
Element 13 · 26.982 u
Aluminum is the most abundant metal in Earth's crust and one of the most widely used metals.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 26.982 u |
| Density | 2.698 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 933.47 K |
| Boiling Point | 2792.0 K |
| Appearance | Silvery-white, soft metallic |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 1.61 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 577.5 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 41.8 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | +1, +3 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [Ne] 3s2 3p1 |
| Atomic Radius | 143.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 121.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 184.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Hans Christian Oersted |
| Discovery Year | 1825 |
| Location | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Named After | Latin 'alumen' meaning alum |
About Aluminum
Aluminum is a silvery-white, lightweight, ductile metal. It comprises about 8% of Earth's crust by mass. Before the Hall-Heroult process, aluminum was more precious than gold. The process made aluminum affordable and launched the modern aluminum industry.
Uses & Applications
Beverage cans, aircraft construction, window frames, kitchen foil, electrical transmission lines, and vehicle parts.
Fun Fact
Before 1886, aluminum was more expensive than gold. Napoleon III served honored guests with aluminum cutlery while lesser guests used gold.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 27 | 1.0% | - | Yes |
Electron Configuration
[Ne] 3s2 3p1