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.