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There are an infinite number of possible excited states for the valence electrons of aluminum, depending on how much energy the electrons have absorbed.

The ground state of aluminum is $"1s"^2 "2s"^2 "2p"^6 "3s"^2 "3p"^1$

In the ground state the $"3s"$ electrons are unable to form bonds. They must absorb energy to move to a higher energy state so that the electrons can be used to form bonds.

What happens is that the atom will promote a $"3s"$ electron to the empty $"3p"$ orbital, forming an excited state.

The atom can then form 3 $"sp"^2$ hybrid orbitals to form three bonds to other atoms.

This enables aluminum to achieve a more stable electron configuration like that of neon.

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