Is it aluminum or aluminium? We are sure that you have noticed by now that, depending on where you are in the world and who you are speaking to, people not only write but also pronounce the name of this metal differently. This is, indeed, because there are two different ways of spelling the name of this metal, aluminum Vs. aluminium. Although the words only differ from one another by one letter, it does not only affect its spelling but also its pronunciation. If you grew up listening to one version, the pronunciation of the other can be difficult to deal with.
So, which one is correct: aluminum or aluminium? The truth is that both versions are correct and accepted. In the United States, the element is referred to as aluminum, whereas in British English, it’s called aluminium. Regardless of how it’s written, it refers to the same chemical element. In scientific writing, academia, business, and everyday use, both aluminum and aluminium are considered correct.
Throughout this article, we will dive deeper into the origins of both names and have a look at how it’s possible that there are two different words for the same element, making people up until today wonder whether it is aluminum or aluminium?
A Brief History Of The Element
The element has been used by people for centuries and the earliest use dates back to the early Middle Ages. Back in those days, it was a chemical compound referred to as Alum. It was used for different purposes, including coloring, medicine, and even as a fire-resistant coating. It is important to keep in mind, however, that Alum is a sulfate salt of aluminum. The existence of the metal itself was still unknown back then. It was Andreas Libavius who named the yet-unidentified soil that formed Alum Alumina. This was in the year 1595.
Based on this discovery, a handful of scientists attempted to isolate this unique element ‘Alumina’ through electrolysis. The most famous of which was Sir Humphry Davy, a chemist and inventor. He previously had been successful in isolating other elements including magnesium, calcium, potassium, boron, sodium, barium, and strontium. He was the first in achieving this and, to do so, also used the electrolysis process. After his previous successes, he was now set on doing the same for Alumina.
According to a publication made in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, in the year 1808, Sir Humphry Davy has, indeed, been successful in isolating the metallic substance he was after. Upon his discovery, the proposed to name this metal Alumium. Strangely enough, it was he himself who later addressed the name of the metal differently and named it Aluminum in future publications.
Despite the official naming of the person who discovered it, British chemists back in the day decided to adopt the name Aluminium rather than Aluminum. According to them, aluminium had a more classical sound. On top of that, it was more in-line with the endings of other elements which were discovered at the time. This small yet unwanted name-change is what started the confusion and it is seen as the beginning of the debate on the ending of the word. A debate that still continues today; whether it is aluminum or aluminium.
Aluminum Vs. Aluminum – How Did The Discussion Evolve?
Throughout the 1800s, the termination -ium was quickly adopted throughout the United Kingdom. As a result of this, most of the English speaking world adopted the world Aluminium rather than Aluminum. Back in the days, aluminium was also the most commonly used name for the metal in the United States. This was because in most academic publications, the metal was named aluminium. That being said, it was also not uncommon for people to use the Aluminum version of the word. In the United States, both versions were considered acceptable although the -ium termination was slightly more popular at the time. This was because, back in the 1800s, the metal was only known among chemists, scientists, and academics – who would use publications for reference. The spelling of the word, and in fact the existence of the metal in general, was still widely unknown among ordinary people.
Once the metal became more popular and present in everyday life in the early 1900s, this all changed. During this time in history, the metal became more commonly available and everyday people were finding themselves in the situation of having to write it. At this time, most common people would use the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary to determine the correct spelling. Surprisingly, this dictionary favored the original -um spelling of the word; thus listing it down as Aluminum. In fact, the acceptable -ium termination was completely omitted from the dictionary altogether, resulting in the fact that common people in the United States started to adopt the word Aluminum. The use of the word aluminum in the United States grew even more common after the American Chemical Society officially adopted Aluminum as the correct spelling for the element. This is how the official separation between the American Aluminum and British Aluminium was born.
At the same time when the American Chemical Society adopted Aluminum as the correct spelling, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry officially adopted the -ium termination of the word. As a result, the rest of the world adopted Aluminium as the correct way of spelling. The North Americans were, however, not impressed by this publication and, up until today, are satisfied with their own spelling of Aluminum and thus keep on using it.
What Is Correct: Aluminum or Aluminium?
The above explained situation has led to a world where, still today, there are two different ways of writing this element’s name. This has led to many discussions and arguments about who is right and who is wrong. Although the difference in spelling in minor, it seems that it’s especially the difference in pronunciation is what puts people on edge.
Luckily the truth is that, no matter how you have been writing or pronouncing the word, both Aluminum and Aluminium are correct. Whereas Aluminum is preferred in North America, Aluminium is used throughout the rest of the English speaking world. If you are not sure on how to write or pronounce the word, then we recommend you to do what they did back in the days when Sir Humphry Davy first published his results, simply pick the one you think sounds better!
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