MAIN SOURCE OF ALUMINIUM AND METHOD OF EXTRACTION
•The main source of aluminum is bauxite, which is impure, hydrated Aluminium
oxide.
•The extraction of aluminium has three main stages: the mining of bauxite ore,
recovering the alumina by refining the ore and smelting alumina to produce
aluminium.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM
•The physical properties of this metal are: it is a good conductor of electricity and
heat, it is ductile, non-toxic and malleable.
•The main uses of Aluminium are to make overhead electrical cables, saucepans
and also for foil when cooking.
REACTION OF METALS WITH OXYGEN
metal + oxygen → metal oxide
REACTION OF ALUMINIUM WITH OXYGEN
4Al(s)+ 3O2(g)→2Al2O3(s)
REACTION OF METALS WITH WATER
metal + water → metal hydroxide + hydrogen
REACTION OF ALUMINIUM WITH WATER
2Al(s) + 3H2O(g) → Al 2O3(s) + 3H2(g)
REACTION OF METALS WITH DILUTE ACIDS
Reactive metal + acid → salt + hydrogen
REACTION OF ALUMINIUM WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID
2Al(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2(g)
MAGNALIUM (NAMED ALLOY OF ALUMINIUM WITH COMPOSITION)
Composed of about 95% aluminium and 5% magnesium. Magnalium is stronger,
harder and more resistant to corrosion than aluminium while being lighter in
weight than aluminium. It is used in the construction of aircraft and automobile
parts, to make metallic mirrors and scientific instruments.
IMPORTANCE OF ALUMINIUM AND ITS COMPOUNDS ON LIVING
SYSTEMS AND ENVIRONMENT
Aluminium is commonly used to produce louvred windows and window frames
which can resist corrosion. It is also used to make aluminium cans to store food
and drink. Aluminium is extremely important as aluminium sulphate is used to
efficiently purify water supplies. In the past, it was also used by the ancient Greeks
to stop bleeding. Nowadays, aluminium compounds are used to make vaccines
more efficient which has been of utmost importance since the COVID-19
pandemic. Aluminium is also one of the most environmentally friendly metals
because of its sustainability. It can be recycled infinitely to make products of the
same quality.
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ALUMINIUM AND ITS COMPOUNDS TO
LIVING SYSTEMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Animals that breathe in aluminium in the air may experience lung issues, weight
loss and a decrease in activity. Aluminium is also toxic to fish and certain
invertebrates because it causes loss of plasma and haemolymph ions which leads to
osmoregulatory failure. Its ions can also react with phosphates, making less
phosphates available to aquatic life. Aluminium is a known neurotoxicant,
therefore if it were to enter the brain, it could contribute to cognitive dysfunction
and may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.