Aluminum

 The chemical element Al is Aluminum (or Aluminium). 🥫

There are two accepted spellings: Aluminum (primarily used in North America) and Aluminium (used in most other parts of the world, including the UK).

Essential Information

 * Symbol: Al

 * Atomic Number: 13

 * Atomic Mass: \approx 26.98 u

 * Classification: Post-transition Metal (Group 13, Period 3).

 * State at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP): Silvery-white solid metal.

Key Properties and Uses

 * Abundance: It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and the third most abundant element overall (after oxygen and silicon).

 * Lightweight and Strong: Aluminum has a remarkably low density (about one-third that of steel) while maintaining high strength when alloyed. This high strength-to-weight ratio makes it essential for the aerospace and automotive industries (e.g., in aircraft components and lighter car bodies).

 * Corrosion Resistance: It naturally reacts with oxygen in the air to form a thin, durable layer of aluminum oxide (\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3). This protective film prevents further oxidation, giving aluminum excellent corrosion resistance.

 * Conductivity: It's an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity, making it a key material for electrical transmission lines (it's cheaper and lighter than copper) and cooking utensils.

 * Recyclability: Aluminum is 100% recyclable with no loss of quality, and recycling it saves about 95% of the energy required to produce it from raw ore.

Common items made from aluminum include beverage cans, foil, window frames, and exterior siding.