Demonstrate the combustion of iron and explore how particles are rearranged to form a new substance using this lesson plan with activities for 11–14 year olds
In this activity, students observe and interpret a practical demonstration and then use the particle model to explain their observations.
The demonstration leads to the conclusion that iron increases in mass when heated in air. Students are asked to think about why and may need to be prompted through a series of questions to the class:
- How do you picture the particles in iron?
- Is air a mixture or a pure substance?
- How do you picture the particles in air?
- Which part of air is reactive?
Learning objectives
Students will be able to:
- Make and interpret observations.
- Explain that new substances, usually oxides, are formed when materials burn or are heated strongly in air (oxygen).
- Use a particle model to explain how particles rearrange to form a new substance.
Sequence of activities
Demonstration 1: The spontaneous combustion of iron
Demonstrate ’The spontaneous combustion of iron’ before outlining the learning objectives.
Demonstration 2: The combustion of iron wool
Show the experimental set up for ’The combustion of iron wool’ and explain what is going to happen – that the iron wool will be heated with a strong Bunsen flame.
Hand out a set of ‘traffic light’ cards and a mini whiteboard to each student. Ask them to:
- Hold up an appropriate coloured card:
- Red if they think the iron will get heavier.
- Yellow if they think the iron will get lighter.
- Green if they think the iron will stay the same.
- Draw on the mini whiteboard what they think the apparatus will look like after the iron has been heated for one minute.
- Hold up their boards.
Pose questions about their responses and ideas.
Carry out the demonstration, ensuring all students have a clear view. Ask the students to:
- Decide whether the iron wool was heavier, lighter or the same after heating (use ’traffic light’ cards again).
- Modify, if necessary, their drawing of the apparatus after the iron has been heated for 1 minute.
At this point make sure all learners have a record of the correct drawing and the statement: ’the iron wool was heavier after it had been heated in air’.
Activity
Organise students to work in pairs. Give out ’Prompt cards’. Circulate and support as the students:
- Discuss why the iron became heavier.
- Identify the particles representing iron, oxygen and nitrogen.
- Use a mini-whiteboard to sketch a particle diagram that explains the increase in mass.
- Display their drawings.
Plenary
In a plenary:
- Select a few students to explain their drawings.
- Draw together ideas and summarise the change using a word equation.
- Make a general statement that chemical change involves atoms in reactants rearranging to form products.
Commentary
The initial stimulus is an important trigger for student inquiry.
Although there is a small element of self and peer assessment, as students collaborate on the particle diagram, the principal technique here is questioning by the teacher. Questions are used to develop and confirm ideas and concepts.
Practical notes
Equipment
For each student:
- A set of traffic light cards
- Mini whiteboard
Health, safety and technical notes
- Read our standard health and safety guidance.
- It is the responsibility of the teacher to carry out appropriate risk assessments for the two demonstrations.
Answers
Drawings should show that particles of oxygen from the air have combined with particles of iron. This is why the mass increases:
iron + oxygen → iron oxide
When chemical change takes place, atoms in reactants rearrange to form products.
Download the activities
Prompt cards
The ’Prompt cards’ are available to download below as an editable handout (MS Word) or a PDF handout.
The spontaneous combustion of iron demonstration
Bright sparks offers an enhanced and refreshed version of the ’spontaneous combustion of iron’ demonstration, featuring a video, kit list and instructions. The original instructions from T. Lister’s Classic chemistry demonstrations are also available to download as a PDF book extract.
The combustion of iron wool demonstration
The ‘combustion of iron wool’ demonstration, including kit list and safety instructions, is available here.
Downloads
Combustion of iron: Prompt cards
Editable handout | Word, Size 72 kbCombustion of iron: Prompt cards
Handout | PDF, Size 0.16 mb
Additional information
This lesson plan was originally part of the Assessment for Learning website, published in 2008.
Assessment for Learning is an effective way of actively involving students in their learning. Each session plan comes with suggestions about how to organise activities and worksheets that may be used with students.
Acknowledgement
T. Lister, Classic chemistry demonstrations. London: Royal Society of Chemistry, 1996.
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