Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Aluminium

Atomic number 13 means that every Aluminium nucleus contains 13 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Aluminium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 13 means that every Aluminium nucleus contains 13 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Aluminium.

Aluminium (Al) is chemical element 13. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in packaging, aerospace and power lines.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 13 means that every Aluminium nucleus contains 13 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Aluminium.

Keep exploring

→ Aluminium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

13AlAluminium
Aluminium · Al · Z = 13

Aluminium (Al) is chemical element 13. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Aluminium (Al) is chemical element 13. It belongs to the post-transition metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in packaging, aerospace and power lines.

What its position in the table tells us

Aluminium sits in period 3, group 13 and the P block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.