Give reasons Aluminium is a highly reactive metal, yet it is used to make utensils for cooking.
Explain why, aluminium is a highly reactive metal, still it is used to make utensils for cooking.
Solution 1
Though aluminium is a highly reactive metal, it is resistant to corrosion. This is because aluminium reacts with oxygen present in air to form a thin layer of aluminium oxide. This oxide layer is very stable and prevents further reaction of aluminium with oxygen. Also, it is light in weight and a good conductor of heat. Hence, it is used to make cooking utensils.
Solution 2
Aluminium is a highly reactive metal. It reacts easily with oxygen in the air and forms layer of aluminium oxide on its surface. This aluminium oxide layer is very tough and does not allow the air to enter the metal for further reaction. This prevents further corrosion of aluminium. Therefore, aluminium articles become unreactive towards air and water and do not corrode easily due to the presence of strong aluminium oxide layer over them. This oxide layer on aluminium is made further strong by making it thick by a process called anodising. This prevents corrosion to the maximum. Hence, aluminium becomes highly resistive to corrosion and it is used to make utensils for cooking.
