Aluminum is directly below Mg. If aluminum is oxidized so readily, then how can we make planes or ships out of it and they don't fall apart after a few months or years?
Yes aluminum does oxidize just like any other metal. The difference is that aluminum oxidizes the same color as the metal therefore you cannot tell that is oxidizing. Once is oxidizes a little bit, the oxidize protects the metal and it does not oxidize any more.
