A Visual Encyclopedia of the Periodic Table

132

This slice of aluminium

phosphate mineral has

a turquoise green colour.

This cr ystal contains

aluminium and sulfur

compounds.

Forms

Aluminium

Al

13

13 13 14

State: Solid

Discovery: 1825

Although aluminium is the most common

metal in Earth’s rocks, scientists did not

discover it until the early 1800s. Even then,

it took a further 80 years for scientists to work

out how to use the ore bauxite to extract

large amounts of pure aluminium. It can

also be found in other minerals, including

variscite. Today, aluminium is often recycled

because producing it anew requires 15 times

more energy. The metal makes a strong, shiny

foil when rolled flat, and is useful for storing

foods. A fire protection suit made from

This aluminium ore

is the world’s main

source of the element.

Ba

ux

ite

Va

ris

ci

te

Reflective surface

A

lu

m

c

ry

sta

l

re

fin

ed

in

a^ laboratory

Pe

lle

ts^

of

pur

e^ aluminium

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