Aluminium atom in 3D
Packaging and transport. Aluminium is used in packaging, electrical conductors and transport structures. A surface oxide layer helps protect it. Explore the 3D model, inspect its parts and learn with guided explanations. Free on Atlas.
What you can learn
Packaging and transport. Aluminium is used in packaging, electrical conductors and transport structures. A surface oxide layer helps protect it.
Identify aluminium from its proton count.
Count the neutrons in Aluminium-27.
Inspect the occupied electron shells.
Compare the valence shell with a neighbouring element.
Explain what changes when an electron is lost.
Three outer-shell electrons are not three electrons in total. A neutral aluminium atom contains thirteen.
Try an investigation
Identify aluminium from its proton count.
Check your understanding
What identifies an atom as aluminium?
13 protons. Atomic number is proton count. Every aluminium nucleus has 13 protons.
How many neutrons are in Aluminium-27?
14. Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 27 − 13 = 14. Mass number is not the average atomic weight of natural samples.
How many electrons are in a neutral aluminium atom?
13. A neutral atom balances 13 positive protons with 13 negative electrons.
Which shell count describes neutral aluminium in its ground state?
2, 8, 3. [Ne] 3s² 3p¹ gives 2, 8, 3 electrons across its occupied shells. Circular paths are only diagram guides.
If this atom loses one electron, what happens to its net charge?
It becomes +1. Losing one negative electron leaves one more proton than electrons. Its 13 protons still identify it as aluminium.
What can this 3D shell model tell you reliably?
The particle counts for the selected neutral isotope. The counts represent a defined isotope and neutral atom. Particle sizes, spacing and circles are simplified teaching symbols.
Sources and model scope
An educational representation. The explorer identifies its data sources, scale choices and simplifications.