Aluminum Oxide Formula

Aluminum oxide, also known as alumina, is a chemical compound with the formula Al2O3. It is a white or nearly colorless powder that is insoluble in water and has a high melting point of approximately 2,000 °C.

The formula for aluminum oxide tells us the number and type of atoms present in the compound. In this case, the formula indicates that there are two aluminum atoms (Al) and three oxygen atoms (O) in each molecule of aluminum oxide.

The subscripts in the formula indicate the number of atoms of each element in the molecule. The subscript 2 after the aluminum symbol indicates that there are two aluminum atoms in the molecule, while the subscript 3 after the oxygen symbol indicates that there are three oxygen atoms in the molecule.

The formula for aluminum oxide can be derived from the valence of the elements involved. Aluminum has a valence of +3, meaning it can form three bonds with other atoms. Oxygen has a valence of -2, meaning it can form two bonds with other atoms. To balance the charges of each atom in the compound, two aluminum atoms combine with three oxygen atoms to form the molecule Al2O3.

Aluminum oxide is an important industrial material used in a wide range of applications, including as a refractory material for furnace linings, as a catalyst support, and in the production of ceramics, abrasives, and electrical insulators.