What is the Difference Between Aluminium and Copper

The key difference between aluminium and copper is that copper is a heavier metal with a red-orange appearance, whereas aluminium is a lighter metal with a silvery grey appearance.

Aluminium is a chemical element having the atomic number 13 and the chemical symbol Al. Copper is a chemical element having the chemical symbol Cu and atomic number 29.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Aluminium
3. What is Copper
4. Aluminium vs Copper in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Aluminium vs Copper

What is Aluminium?

Aluminium is a chemical element having the atomic number 13 and the chemical symbol Al. It appears as a silvery-white, soft metal. Moreover, it is nonmagnetic and highly ductile. It is abundant on earth (8% of the earth’s crust). This metal is highly chemically reactive. Therefore, it is difficult to find native specimens of aluminium. Especially, this metal has a low density. Thus, it is lightweight and is able to resist corrosion by forming an oxide layer on its surface.

The electron configuration of aluminium is [Ne] 3s² 3p^1, and its standard atomic weight is about 26.98. it exists as a solid at room temperature and pressure conditions. The melting point of this metal is 660.32 °C, and its boiling point is 2470 °C. Moreover, the most common oxidation state of aluminium is +3.

Aluminium and Copper - Side by Side Comparison

Figure 01: Aluminum

When considering the alloys of aluminium, the typical alloying components are copper, magnesium, zinc, silicon, and tin. There are two forms of aluminium alloys; they are casting alloys and wrought alloys. We can divide these groups into two groups: heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable aluminium alloys. However, about 85% of the useful aluminium alloys are wrought forms.

What is Copper?

Copper is a chemical element having the chemical symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a d block element. Moreover, it is a metal and has a red-orange metallic luster. It is one of few metals that has a natural color other than grey or silver. This metal is known for its softness, malleability, ductility, and high thermal and electrical conductivity. These properties arise due to its chemical nature, the presence of one s-orbital electron on top of filled d-electron shells.

Figure 02: Copper

The standard atomic weight of this metal is 63.54. This metal is in group 11 and period 4 of the periodic table of chemical elements. The electron configuration is [Ar] 3d10 4s1. In addition to that, this metal falls into the category of transition metals. Therefore, it has one unpaired electron in its outermost orbital. Apart from that, this metal is in a solid-state at standard temperature and pressure. The melting point and boiling points are 1084.62 °C and 2562 °C, respectively. Moreover, the most common oxidation state of this metal is +2. But there are some other oxidation states as well; −2, +1, +3, and +4.

Copper does not react with water, but it reacts with oxygen in the air to form a copper oxide layer, which appears in brown-black colour. This layer can prevent the metal from rusting. Moreover, this metal tarnishes when exposed to sulfur-containing compounds. The major uses of this metal include producing electrical wires, roofing, plumbing, industrial machinery, etc. More importantly, copper is often used as a pure metal rather than in alloy forms.

What is the Difference Between Aluminium and Copper?

Aluminium and copper are useful in manufacturing wires for the conductivity of electricity. The key difference between aluminium and copper is that copper is a heavier metal with a red-orange appearance, whereas aluminium is a lighter metal with a silvery grey appearance.

The below infographic presents the differences between aluminium and copper in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Aluminium vs Copper

Aluminium is a chemical element having the atomic number 13 and chemical symbol Al, while Copper is a chemical element having the chemical symbol Cu and atomic number 29. The key difference between aluminium and copper is that copper is a heavier metal with a red-orange appearance, whereas aluminium is a lighter metal with a silvery grey appearance.