The thermite reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide

A photograph showing a highly exothermic thermite explosion against a black background

Source: © Shutterstock

Illustrate a highly exothermic thermite reaction resulting in molten iron in this teacher demonstration. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

This competition reaction proves that aluminium is a more reactive metal than iron, while the experiment also provides an example of a redox reaction taking place.

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