Aluminum (Al) – Periodic Table [Element Information & More]

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aluminum element periodic table

Aluminum element (Al) is in group 13 and period 3 of a periodic table. Aluminum is in the p-block and it is classified as a post-transition element on the periodic table.

There is a lot more information related to aluminum which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.

So let’s dive right into it!

Table of contents

Aluminum Element (Information Table)

The important data related to aluminum element is given in the table below.

Appearance of aluminumSilvery gray
Atomic number of aluminum13
Symbol of aluminumAl
Atomic mass of aluminum26.982 u
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in aluminumProtons: 13, Neutrons: 14, Electrons: 13
State of aluminum (at STP)Solid
Group number of aluminum in periodic table13
Period number of aluminum in periodic table3
Block of aluminum in periodic tablep-block
Category of aluminumPost transition element (boron group)
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in aluminum2, 8, 3
Electron configuration of aluminum[Ne] 3s2 3p1
Orbital diagram of aluminumorbital diagram of aluminium
Valence electrons in aluminum3
Electronegativity of aluminum (on pauling scale)1.61
Atomic radius of aluminum (van der Waals radius)184 picometers
Density of aluminum2.7 g/cm3
1st ionization energy of aluminum5.986 eV
Main isotope of aluminum27Al
Melting point of aluminum933.47 K or 660.3 °C or 1220.5 °F
Boiling point of aluminum2743 K or 2470 °C or 4478 °F
Crystal structure of aluminumFace Centered Cubic (FCC)
Discovery of aluminumBy Hans Christian in 1824

Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).

Aluminum element in Periodic table

The Aluminum element (Al) has the atomic number 13 and is located in group 13 and period 3. Aluminum is a metal and it is classified as a post-transition element.

H He
Li Be B C N O F Ne
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
Cs Ba La* Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
Fr Ra Ac** Rf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts Og
*Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
**Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr

Facts about aluminum

Here are a few interesting facts about aluminum element.

  1. The aluminum element is the 3rd most abundant element found from the earth’s crust  (followed by oxygen and silicon).
  2. If only metals are considered, then the aluminum metal is the most abundant element present in the earth’s crust.
  3. Aluminum metal can reflect the heat as well as light.
  4. Recycling aluminum is very easy. Because of this reason, around 75% of total aluminum is still in use today.
  5. Aluminum is nontoxic for humans but it is toxic for fish.
  6. The weight of aluminum is 1/3rd the weight of steel.

Properties of aluminum

Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of aluminum.

Physical properties of aluminum

  • Aluminum has a silvery-gray shiny appearance.
  • Aluminum is lightweight metal having a density of 2.7 g/cm3.
  • Aluminum can be easily formed into different shapes because of its ductility.
  • The stable isotope of aluminum is 27Al.
  • The strength of aluminum is less and so it is alloyed with other elements to increase its strength.
  • Aluminum has good thermal conductivity as well as electrical conductivity.

Chemical properties of aluminum

  • When aluminum is kept open in the air, it forms a thin oxide layer and this layer protects the surface from corrosion.
  • The aluminum metal is highly affected by salts like NaCl.
  • Various compounds of aluminum like aluminum halides, aluminum sulfides as well as aluminum nitrides are known.

Uses of aluminum

Here are some uses of the aluminum element.

  • Aluminum is used in packaging of foods because it reflects the heat. This keeps the food warm for a longer time.
  • Aluminum is also used in medicines that help in reducing acidity.
  • Aluminum can block light, oxygen, bacteria as well as microorganisms. Because of this the aluminum foil is used in packaging of medicines.
  • Aluminum has a good thermal conductivity so it is used in some heat transfer applications.
  • Because of its good electrical conductivity, it is also used in electrical appliances.
  • Aluminum is used in airplanes which reduces its weight a lot.

Article by;

Jay Rana

Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. With a desire to make learning accessible for everyone, he founded Knords Learning, an online chemistry learning platform that provides students with easily understandable explanations.

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