1326.982AlAluminium
Aluminium (Al) — element 13post-transition metal · group 13, period 3
Aluminium is a chemical element with the symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a post-transition metal in group 13, period 3 of the periodic table (the p-block), with a standard atomic mass of 26.982 u. At room temperature (25 °C) aluminium is a solid. It is also spelled aluminum.
💡 Known for: The most abundant metal in Earth's crust; light and corrosion-resistant, it is used in cans, foil and aircraft.
# Aluminium properties
| Symbol | Al |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 13 |
| Atomic mass | 26.982 u |
| Category | post-transition metal |
| Group | 13 |
| Period | 3 |
| Block | p-block |
| Electron configuration | [Ne] 3s² 3p¹ |
| Full configuration | 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹ |
| Electrons per shell | 2, 8, 3 |
| Protons / electrons | 13 / 13 |
| State at 25 °C | solid |
| Melting point | 933.47 K (660.3 °C, 1220.6 °F) |
| Boiling point | 2792 K (2518.8 °C, 4565.9 °F) |
| Density | 2.698 g/cm³ |
| Electronegativity (Pauling) | 1.61 |
| First ionization energy | 5.986 eV |
| Atomic radius | 118 pm |
| Discovered | 1825 |
# Electron configuration of aluminium
The electron configuration of aluminium is [Ne] 3s² 3p¹, written out in full as 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹. Its 13 electrons fill 3 shells as 2, 8, 3, so the outermost shell holds 3 electrons. As a group 13 element, aluminium has 3 valence electrons.
# Related elements
MgMagnesiumprevious elementSiSiliconnext elementBBorongroup 13GaGalliumgroup 13InIndiumgroup 13TlThalliumgroup 13NhNihoniumgroup 13SnTinpost-transition metalPbLeadpost-transition metalBiBismuthpost-transition metalPoPoloniumpost-transition metalFlFleroviumpost-transition metalMcMoscoviumpost-transition metalLvLivermoriumpost-transition metal
# Aluminium FAQ
What is the atomic number of aluminium?
The atomic number of aluminium is 13: every aluminium atom has 13 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is Al.
What is the atomic mass of aluminium?
The standard atomic mass of aluminium is 26.982 u.
What is the electron configuration of aluminium?
Aluminium's electron configuration is [Ne] 3s² 3p¹ (1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p¹), with 2, 8, 3 electrons per shell.
Is aluminium a metal?
Yes. Aluminium is a post-transition metal, one of the metals.
What is the melting point of aluminium?
Aluminium melts at 933.47 K (660.3 °C, 1220.6 °F) and boils at 2792 K (2518.8 °C, 4565.9 °F).
What is aluminium used for / known for?
The most abundant metal in Earth's crust; light and corrosion-resistant, it is used in cans, foil and aircraft.