Aluminum By Keith Hopkinson Grade 9 Science Aluminum

Aluminum By: Keith Hopkinson Grade 9 Science

Aluminum Discovery As early as 1787, scientists suspected this metal existed in alum. In 1825, a Danish chemist, Hans Christian Oersted produced the first tiny amounts of aluminum by heating anhydrous aluminum chloride with potassium amalgam and distilling off the mercury. Between 1827 & 1845, Frederick Wöhler improved this process. In 1854, Henri Ètienne Sainte-Claire Deville developed a process for commercial production of aluminum.

Chemical & Physical Properties It is light weight but extremely strong. It does conduct electricity, but not as well as copper. Its silvery white in its pure state. Its resists corrosion. It’s a good reflector of light and heat. Its non-toxic. It responds easily to every form of metalworking. Sparks cannot be struck from it. It is not magnetic.

Interesting Facts 13 Al Aluminum 26. 981538 Melting Point = 933. 437 K (660. 323°C or 1220. 581°F) Boiling Point = 2792 K (2519°C or 4566°F) Density = 2. 70 g/cm^3 Solid at room temperature.

Interesting Facts cont’d Aluminum is the most common element in the earth’s crust. Makes up 8%. It is used by man in more ways then any other metal. It weighs about a 1/3 of iron, copper, or brass. Its never found in a pure state, only with other elements. Its most commonly found in rocks known as Feldspars.

Current Uses Aluminum is mixed with oils for paint. Its used for aluminum foil. Its used in toothpaste and shaving cream. Its used in the roofs of cars, and oil tankers. Its used in furniture and bathroom stuff. Its used for furnaces. Its used in electrical transmission lines. Its used in the surface glass to make mirrors.