What is the relationship between aluminum and oxygen?

Aluminum and oxygen have a reactive relationship. When aluminum is exposed to oxygen, it forms a thin, protective layer of aluminum oxide on its surface. This oxide layer prevents further oxidation of the aluminum beneath it, making aluminum a corrosion-resistant metal. The reaction is exothermic and can be represented by the chemical equation: 4Al + 3O2 鈫?2Al2O3. This aluminum oxide layer is hard and stable, which is why aluminum is widely used in various applications where resistance to corrosion is important.