Aluminum

Sir Humphry Davy discovered aluminum or Al in 1825. It comes from the Latin word “alumen” meaning “alum”, which means bitter salt, due to it’s whitish mineral salt. Aluminium was adopted by IUPAC to conform to the “ium” ending of most elements. In 1925, the spelling reverted back to aluminum by the American Chemical Society. Aluminum was once called “Metal of Kings” because pure aluminum was more expensive to produce than gold. The primary source is the ore bauxite.

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. It’s solid, high density is found in feldspars, granite, and many other common minerals. It is soft, lightweight, and silvery white. Having good conductive and thermal properties, it is used to form many hard, light, corrosion resistant alloys.

Aluminum is classified under “Other Metals” which is located in groups 13, 14, and 15 of the Periodic Table. Aluminum has an atomic number of 13, with 13 protons and electrons, and 14 neutrons. Has an atomic mass of 27. This metal has a melting point of 660.37 degrees C and a boiling point of 2467 degrees C. It is soft, light, nontoxic, with high thermal conductivity, and high corrosion resistance.

Aluminum is the planet’s most common, but most difficult metal to get. It is used for airplanes, soda cans, recycling, automobile parts, and statues. Occurs naturally in many foods in low concentrations and is in pharmaceuticals and drinking water. High levels in the body can be toxic, but overall as a metal, it is non-toxic. Aluminum is just on element that can be found on the Periodic Table.