Al shot and Al foil

Question

compare the reaction of CuCl2 with Al shot and Al foil. Discuss some possible reasons for any difference in the reaction of the two forms of aluminum?

Answer 1

Aluminum is a rather reactive metal and this allows it to form an oxide layer on the surface. The more surface area per unit mass available the greater the amount of aluminum oxide. In essence, one would expect Al shots to react more cleanly or to get initiated first.