Aluminium - Information

Atomic Number: 13

Atomic Weight: 26.98153

Electronic Configuration: [Ne]3s²3p¹

Appearance - Aluminium is a solid silvery metal at 298K

History - Discovered : by Hans Oersted in 1825

Sources - Aluminium is now produced by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a mixture of sodium, aluminium and calcium fluorides. This method was discovered by an American, Hall in 1886 although he used Cryolite instead of the mixture.

Uses - Aluminium is very abundant. It doesn't rust, is non-toxic, malleable and easy to recycle so it is worth the amount of energy it takes to extract it from its ores. This is the Bayer Process forming aluminium from bauxite.

• It is light and, although pure aluminium is weak, when alloyed with small amounts of copper, magnesium or silicon, it is strong so ideal for window frames, aircraft parts, engines, kegs, cooking oil, indigestion tablets (aluminium hydroxide), drinks cans, etc.
• Some foods contain aluminium. These include tea, processed cheese, lentils and sponge cakes (it comes from the rising agent).
• Aluminium cooking pans don't really increase the amount in your diet unless you're cooking acidic food like rhubarb.

Compounds - Halides AlF₃ AlCl₃ AlBr₃ AlI₃

Compounds - Others AlH₃ Al₂O₃ Al₂Se₃ Al₂S₃ AlTe₃ AlN