Letters - May 2011
Is the thermite reaction safe?
Thermite safety debate
It is with deep concern that I respond to safety hazards in your published thermite demonstration (Education in Chemistry, January 2011, p10).
The thermite reaction product should never be directed into water or wet sand as an explosion may result. This is detailed in a note in Prudent practices in the laboratory: handling and disposing of chemicals.
The molten iron produced by the reaction should be directed into a metal bucket of dry sand. Also, it is best to perform the thermite reaction outside on a concrete surface, protected from any wind, rather than in a classroom, with proper safety shields, and with students and observers at a safe distance of 10 m, rather than 5 m recommended in the article.
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