Aluminium
Aluminium (Al)
Aluminium (pronounced: /ˌæl.jʊˈmɪ.ni.əm/), also spelled aluminum in certain regions, is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a silvery-white, soft, non-magnetic and ductile metal in the boron group.
Etymology
The term "aluminium" comes from the Latin word for alum, "alumen". The word "alum" refers to a class of chemical compounds, which aluminium is a part of. The "-ium" suffix followed the examples of other elements like potassium and sodium when the element was named by British chemist Sir Humphry Davy.
Properties and Uses
Aluminium is the third most abundant element (after oxygen and silicon) and the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust. It makes up about 8% by weight of the Earth's solid surface. Aluminium metal is so chemically reactive that native specimens are rare and limited to extreme reducing environments.
Aluminium is used in a huge variety of products including cans, foils, kitchen utensils, window frames, beer kegs and aeroplane parts due to its particular properties. Aluminium has a very high strength to weight ratio, and its ductility allows the metal to be formed into nearly any shape.
Health Effects
Exposure to aluminium is usually not harmful, but exposure to high levels can affect people's health. Workers who breathe large amounts of aluminium dust can have lung problems, such as coughing or abnormal chest X-rays. Some people who have kidney disease store a lot of aluminium in their bodies. Sometimes, these people developed bone or brain diseases that doctors think were caused by the excess aluminium.
Related Terms
- Alumina: A compound of aluminium and oxygen that is commonly used in the production of aluminium.
- Bauxite: The primary ore from which aluminium is extracted.
- Aluminium Oxide: A chemical compound of aluminium and oxygen, often used as an abrasive due to its hardness.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Aluminium
- Wikipedia's article - Aluminium
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