Aluminum has much in common with other metals. First, as well as many other metals, it has silver-white color, metal gloss and high conductivity. Secondly, it easily forms oxides and interacts with acids. Therefore sometimes there is need to distinguish it from other metals.
Instruction
1. Imagine that before you there are several metal objects, and the task to define what of them is made of aluminum is set. The first way of definition of aluminum is based on the fact that it differs from othersin metals on melting temperature. Differ at metals and temperature of boiling. Temperature of melting of aluminum is 650 degrees and therefore it belongs to group of fusible metals. In this regard, from aluminum different alloys can be rather easily received. When heating to 600 °C, that is, almost up to the melting temperature, this metal becomes fragile. In this state it can be pounded easily in powder.
2. The second sign by which it is possible to recognize aluminum is its ability to be rolled in a foil and thin plates. Rolling the same way of any other metals though is possible, but is strongly complicated and connected with considerable expenses of energy. Some of them demand for implementation of this operation of heating while when rolling aluminum it is possible to do without it.
3. One more characteristic property of aluminum is his resistance to corrosion. Of course, it is not the only metal having such property in this connection aluminum cannot be defined authentically, being guided only by this sign, but it can be used it for comparison, for example, with steel and copper. It is impossible to use for aluminum definition absence at it magnetic properties. It is connected with the fact that such properties are absent also at all other non-ferrous metals.
4. Also it is possible to determine aluminum and by its chemical properties. It is much more reliable way of recognition of this metal. It is known that alkalis are not capable to be stored in aluminum ware. Aluminum reacts with them and forms difficult connection: 2Al+2NaOH+10H2O=2Na [Al(OH)4(H2O)2] + 3H2
5. One more distinctive feature of aluminum is an ability to interact with sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. And, unlike other metals, it does not react with nitric acid, and in sulfuric and salt is dissolved. Why on production aluminum is stored in some cases in nitric acid.