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

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)
• Aluminum element in Periodic table
• Facts about Aluminum
• Properties of Aluminum
• Uses of Aluminum

Aluminum Element (Information Table)

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

Appearance of aluminum	Silvery gray
Atomic number of aluminum	13
Symbol of aluminum	Al
Atomic mass of aluminum	26.982 u
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in aluminum	Protons: 13, Neutrons: 14, Electrons: 13
State of aluminum (at STP)	Solid
Group number of aluminum in periodic table	13
Period number of aluminum in periodic table	3
Block of aluminum in periodic table	p-block
Category of aluminum	Post transition element (boron group)
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in aluminum	2, 8, 3
Electron configuration of aluminum	[Ne] 3s2 3p1
Orbital diagram of aluminum
Valence electrons in aluminum	3
Electronegativity of aluminum (on pauling scale)	1.61
Atomic radius of aluminum (van der Waals radius)	184 picometers
Density of aluminum	2.7 g/cm3
1st ionization energy of aluminum	5.986 eV
Main isotope of aluminum	27Al
Melting point of aluminum	933.47 K or 660.3 °C or 1220.5 °F
Boiling point of aluminum	2743 K or 2470 °C or 4478 °F
Crystal structure of aluminum	Face Centered Cubic (FCC)
Discovery of aluminum	By 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.

Click on above elements in the periodic table to see their information.

Facts about aluminum

Here are a few interesting facts about aluminum element.

1. The aluminum element is the 3^rd 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 1/3^rd 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.

External resources:

1. Periodic Table of Elements: Los Alamos National Laboratory. (n.d.). Periodic Table of Elements: Los Alamos National Laboratory. https://periodic.lanl.gov/13.shtml
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3. Aluminium – Element information, properties and uses | Periodic Table. (n.d.). Aluminium – Element Information, Properties and Uses | Periodic Table. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/13/aluminium
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