Why does an aluminium occur in free state?
Answers
Answered by
2
Unlike gold and silver, copper and some other metals, aluminum is rarely found in its free, metallic state in nature. Aluminum is much more reactive and is only found in non-oxidizing environments.
Aluminum metal is very common in our everyday world, but aluminum metal will always have a very thin layer of aluminum oxide, Al2O3, due to its high reactivity. The layer of aluminum oxide is called a "passivating layer" because it makes the remaining aluminum "passive" or non-reactive. It does this because the passivating layer of Al2O3 adheres and protects the underlying aluminum metal. Should the passivating layer be removed, it will immediately reform.
Aluminum metal is very common in our everyday world, but aluminum metal will always have a very thin layer of aluminum oxide, Al2O3, due to its high reactivity. The layer of aluminum oxide is called a "passivating layer" because it makes the remaining aluminum "passive" or non-reactive. It does this because the passivating layer of Al2O3 adheres and protects the underlying aluminum metal. Should the passivating layer be removed, it will immediately reform.
Similar questions