Aluminum (Al) has an atomic number of 13, meaning it has 13 protons and 13 electrons. Its electron configuration is 2, 8, 3.

To achieve a stable electron configuration like the noble gases, aluminum needs to lose 3 electrons. This will leave it with a full outer shell of 2 electrons, similar to the noble gas neon (Ne).

When aluminum loses 3 electrons, it forms a +3 cation, Al³⁺.