Chemical and Physical Properties of Aluminum

1. Atomic Number and Symbol

Atomic Number: 13
Symbol: Al

2. Atomic Mass and Number

Atomic Mass: Approximately 26.98 u (atomic mass units)
Protons: 13
Neutrons: Typically 14 (since atomic mass is roughly the sum of protons and neutrons)

3. Melting and Boiling Points

Melting Point:
660.32 °C
1220.58 °F
Boiling Point:
2519 °C
4566.2 °F

4. Density and Phase

Density: 2.70 g/cm³
Phase at Room Temperature: Solid

5. Color and Luster

Natural Color: Silvery-white
Luster: Metallic, providing a shiny and reflective appearance

6. Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Thermal Conductivity: High, making it an excellent material for heat dissipation applications
Electrical Conductivity: High, often used in electrical transmission lines and other conductive applications

7. Reactivity

Aluminum exhibits a range of reactivity depending on the elements it interacts with:

With More Positively Charged Elements (e.g., Fe, Si, Cu, Mn): These elements generally remain in the master alloy during electrolysis, indicating limited reactivity under these conditions.
With More Negatively Charged Elements (e.g., Na, Ca, Ba, Mg): Such elements are ionized along with aluminum during electrolysis, suggesting a higher reactivity in these interactions.
General Reactivity: Aluminum has a high affinity for oxygen, leading to rapid oxidation when exposed to air.

8. Corrosion Resistance

Aluminum demonstrates significant corrosion resistance primarily due to the formation of a protective oxide layer on its surface. This oxide layer effectively shields the underlying metal from further corrosive reactions, making aluminum a reliable material for various environmental conditions and applications.

These properties make aluminum a versatile and valuable material in both industrial and high-tech applications, where its lightweight, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion are particularly advantageous.