>> name Kelsey

>> status student

>> age 11

>> Question - I am doing a science

project. I added water to copper sulfate and
then put a piece of aluminium foil into it. The
solution put hole in the foil. I would like to
find out why? Any additional info would help.
>>Thank You Kelsey Wren
>
Hi Kelsey...
First a little bit of theory...The metals (as
Aluminum and Copper) react
differently, being some "more active"
than others.
That chemical activity reflects the greater or
lesser facility to give up their electrons. If
one metal is brought into contact with the ions
of another metal, one of two things can happen.
Either the metal can
transfer electrons to the ions (and a reaction
occurs)or the ions do not accept the electrons
(no reaction
occurs). The metals can be arranged in an
activity series with the most reactive at the
top and the least reactive at the bottom.
Now for your question: at that activity series
Aluminum is above Copper. That is, in your
solution of Copper Sulphate you have Copper ions
(and Sulphate ions).
When you add Aluminum foil to the solution, the
metal Aluminum will transfer electrons to the
Copper ions,and Aluminum ions will be formed
instead.
2 Al + 3Cu (+2) = 2 Al(+3) + 3Cu
That is why you see a hole in the foil
indicating that the Al (+3) ions went into
solution. At the sametime metalic Copper will be
formed and gradually will make a deposit.
That is it! Thanks for asking NEWTON!
Mabel
(Dr. Mabel Rodrigues)
================================

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Home > Periodic table > Elements > Aluminum

Aluminum - Al
Properties - Health effects of aluminum -Environmental effects
of aluminum
Atomic number 13
Atomic mass 26.98154 g.mol -1
Electronegativity according to Pauling 1.5
Density 2.7 g.cm -3 at 20 °C
Melting point 660.4 °C
Boiling point 2467 °C
Vanderwaals radius 0.143 nm
Ionic radius 0.05 nm
Isotopes 3
Artificial isotopes 16
Electronic shell 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1
Energy of first ionization 577.4 kJ.mol -1
Energy of second ionization 1816.1 kJ.mol -
Energy of third ionization 2744.1 kJ.mol -1
Standard potential - 1.67 V
Discovered by Hans Christian Oersted

Aluminum
The name aluminum is derived from the ancient name for alum (potassium aluminum sulphate), w
(Latin, meaning bitter salt). Aluminum was the original name given to the element by Humphry D
it aluminum and that became the accepted name in Europe. However, in the USA the preferred na
and when the American Chemical Society debated on the issue, in 1925, it decided to stick with a
Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal. It has a dull silvery appearance, because of a thin layer
forms quickly when it is exposed to air. Aluminum is nontoxic (as the metal) nonmagnetic and no
Aluminum has only one naturally occurring isotope, aluminium-27, which is not radioactive.
Applications
A silvery and ductile member of the poor metal group of elements, aluminum is found primarily a
is remarkable for its resistance to oxidation (aluminum is actually almost always already oxidized,
form unlike most metals), its strength, and its light weight. Aluminum is used in many industries
different products and is very important to the world economy. Structural components made from
to the aerospace industry and very important in other areas of transportation and building in whic
durability, and strength are needed.
The use of aluminum exceed that of any other metal except iron. Pure aluminum easily forms allo
elements such as copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese and silicon.
N early all modern mirrors are made using a thin reflective coating of aluminum on the back surfa
glass. Telescope mirrors are also coated with a thin layer of aluminum.
Other applications are electrical transmission lines, and packaging (cans, foil, etc.).
Because of its high conductivity and relatively low price compared to copper, aluminum was introd
electrical wiring to a large degree in the US in the 1960s. Unfortunately problems on the functioni
its greater coefficient of thermal expansion and its tendency to creep under steady sustained pres
eventually causing loosening the connection; galvanic corrosion increasing the electrical resistanc
The most recent development in aluminum technology is the production of aluminum foam by add
metal a compound (a metal hybrid), which releases hydrogen gas. The molten aluminum has to h
this is done and this is achieved by adding aluminum oxide or silicon carbide fibers. The result is a
used in traffic tunnels and in space shuttle.
Aluminum in the environment
Aluminum is an abundant element in Earth's crust: it is believed to be contained in a percentage f
Aluminum is very rare in its free form. Aluminum contribute greatly to the properties of soil, wher
as insoluble aluminum hydroxide.
Aluminum is a reactive metal and it is hard to extract it from its ore, aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Alum
most difficult metals on earth to refine, the reason is that aluminum is oxidized very rapidly and t
extremely stable compound that, unlike rust on iron, does not flake off. The very reason for which
many applications is why it is so hard to produce.
Several gemstones are made of the clear crystal form of aluminum oxide known as corundum. Th
of other metals creates various colors: cobalt creates blues sapphires, and chromium makes red r
are now easy and cheap to manufacture artificially. Topaz is aluminum silicate coloured yellow by
Recovery of this metal from scrap (via recycling) has become an important component of the alum
Industrial production world-wide of new metal is around 20 million tons per year, and a similar am
Known reserves of ores are 6 billion tones.
Health effects of aluminum
Aluminum is one of the most widely used metals and also one of the most frequently found comp
crust. Due to these facts, aluminum is commonly known as an innocent compound. But still, when
high concentrations, it can cause health problems. The water-soluble form of aluminum causes th
these particles are called ions. They are usually found in a solution of aluminum in combination w
instance as aluminum chlorine.

The uptake of aluminum can take place through food, through breathing and by skin contact. Lon
significant concentrations of aluminum can lead to serious health effects, such as:

- Damage to the central nervous system

- Dementia
- Loss of memory
- Listlessness
- Severe trembling

Aluminum is a risk in certain working environments, such as mines, where it can be found in wate
in factories where aluminum is applied during production processes may endure lung problems wh
aluminum dust. Aluminum can cause problems for kidney patients when it enters the body during
Inhalation of finely divided aluminum and aluminum oxide powder has been reported as a cause o
and lung damage. This effect, know as Shaver’s Disease, is complicated by the presence in the in
oxides of iron. May also be implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.
Environmental effects of aluminum
The effects of aluminum have drawn our attention, mainly due to the acidifying problems. Alumin
in plants and cause health problems for animals that consume these plants.

The concentrations of aluminum appear to be highest in acidified lakes. In these lakes the numbe
amphibians is declining due to reactions of aluminum ions with proteins in the gills of fish and the
High aluminum concentrations do not only cause effects upon fish, but also upon birds and other
consume contaminated fish and insects and upon animals that breathe in aluminum through air. T
birds that consume contaminated fish are eggshell thinning and chicks with low birth-weights. The
animals that breathe in aluminum through air may be lung problems, weight loss and a decline in

Another negative environmental effect of aluminum is that its ions can react with phosphates, wh
phosphates to be less available to water organisms.

High concentrations of aluminum may not only be found in acidified lakes and air, but also in the
acidified soils. There are strong indications that aluminum can damage the roots of trees when it
groundwater.
We cab tell you more about the behaviour of aluminum in water
Back to periodic chart

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