Method
1. Mix Iron Oxide III with Aluminium Powder in a ratio of 3:1.
8. Take the mixture outside and light the magnesium strip. Don’t look directly at the magnesium light and stand back.
9. At the end, you should be left with a small piece of iron. You can test this by using a magnet. The iron might be encased in the melted sand and dirt.
Thermit Reaction
Questions
1. What is a Displacement reaction
2. Write the worded equation for the displacement reaction which occurred
3. Write the balanced chemical equation for the above reaction
4. Why did the above reaction occur?
5. What was the magnesium ribbon used for?
A Thermit reaction occurs when Aluminium displaces Iron from Iron oxide.
Materials
Iron Oxide III Aluminium Powder Magnesium Powder Magnesium Ribbon
Sand Container Barium Peroxide Paper
2. Mix these two powders up in a container
3. Roll a piece of paper up and place it in the centre of the dish. Pour sand around the paper in the steal dish
4. Carefully pour the thermit mixture into the paper.
5. Pour a small layer of Barium Peroxide on top of the thermit
6. Add another small layer of magnesium powder on top.
7. Place a long magnesium strip into the mixture
