thermit update

Different class, same experiment.

This one shows nicely why you lot were on the other side of the room.

Thanks to Arran for the video.

Still not Thermit

thermit reaction

Been doing displacement reactions involving metals with Year 9 classes this week, and there is no finer example than the reaction of aluminium with iron oxide. Also known as the Thermit reaction, the vast amount of energy released is enough to create molten iron, which in days of yore is enough to explain its use in welding railway lines together. The trouble is, it has a high activation energy and requires a magnesium fuse to get the mixture going, as seen in the video below.

aluminium + iron oxide → aluminium oxide + iron

2 Al  +  Fe₂O₃  →  Al₂O₃  +  2 Fe 

The aluminium is far more reactive than the iron and so displaces it in a violent reaction.

I like the second video here as it shows the large volume of smoke rolling over the ceiling as the reaction goes off.

 

Thanks to Jodie and Daisy for sending the videos in. 

Not the Thermit