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Al

Aluminium

Atomic number: 13Mass: 26.982 uCategory: Post-Transition Metal

About Aluminium

Aluminium is a silvery-white, lightweight metal. It is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust. Aluminium is highly resistant to corrosion due to the oxide layer that forms on its surface.

Properties

Period
3
Group
13
Block
P
Category
Post-Transition Metal
Electronegativity
1.61 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
577.5 kJ/mol
Melting Point
933 K (660°C)
Boiling Point
2743 K (2470°C)
Density
2.7 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+3

Electron Configuration

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹
[Ne] 3s² 3p¹
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:3e⁻

Real-World Uses

Beverage cans
Aircraft
Construction
Packaging
Cooking foil

Fun Fact

Aluminium was once more valuable than gold — Napoleon III served his most honoured guests on aluminium plates while others used gold ones!