How Stuff Works-Aluminium

Aluminum is a lightweight, silvery-white metal that is abundant in the Earth’s crust. It is a highly versatile material that has a wide range of uses in various industries, such as construction, transportation, packaging, and electronics.
At the atomic level, aluminum has 13 electrons, arranged in three energy levels around the nucleus. The outermost energy level of aluminum contains only three electrons, which makes it highly reactive and easily bonds with other elements.
Aluminum is also a good conductor of electricity and heat, which makes it useful for electrical and thermal applications. When aluminum is exposed to air, it quickly forms a thin layer of oxide on its surface, which protects it from further oxidation and corrosion. This oxide layer also gives aluminum its characteristic resistance to corrosion and makes it suitable for outdoor applications.
One of the unique properties of aluminum is its ability to be easily formed and shaped, making it ideal for use in a variety of applications. Aluminum can be extruded, rolled, or cast into different shapes, making it suitable for use in everything from airplane parts to soda cans.