Thermit reaction: Displacement of iron from iron oxide using aluminium

Method

The magnesium strip was ignited. This led into a mixture of aluminium and iron oxide.

Results

After about 3 seconds, there was a bright light. The aluminium burnt with an orange flame. The product was a white powder.

Conclusion

Aluminium is a more reactive metal than iron and will displace it.

This reaction is highly exothermic (hence description "Thermit reaction") It produces enough heat to melt the iron produced. It is also used to weld railway lines.

	Created by Abdul Raja about 11 years ago

year 9 work on displacement reactions.

Displacement reactions