Aluminum is an abundant metal
that has many uses. Aluminum comes from an ore that looks like clay. This
ore is called bauxite, but it also contains other substances. In order
to get the aluminum these other substances are extracted from the bauxite
by workmen through a process. The first step is to grind the bauxite. Then
it is placed in pressureized tanks. The pressure in the tanks causes the
other substances to form a mass which is removed by using filters. The
remaining product is a liquid which they put through several other processes.
It finally yeilds a white powdery chemical called alumina. Alumina is a
mixture that contains aluminum and oxygen. Electricity is used to seperate
the oxygen from the aluminum. After all this a light in weight metal is
produced. This metal has a bright, silvery luster. This metal, Aluminum,
comes in many forms. |