The Thermite Process

A very violent reaction that

liberates vast quantities of
heat results in the
formation of molten iron

Purpose

To observe the extremely violent

reaction that leads to the formation
of iron from its oxide (ore)

A regulus is the metallic mass that

forms beneath the slag at the
bottom of a crucible

Demonstration

Reaction is very energetic and

exothermically so

Possibility of explosion if water is

present in the thermite mixture

Temperatures exceed 4500F

Concepts

Single replacement reactions

Exothermic reactions

Redox reactions

Single Replacement Reactions

General type of inorganic reaction

2Al(s)+Fe2O3(s)

Al2O3(s)+2Fe(l)

Oxide anions are transferred

during reaction from iron(III)oxide to aluminum
Oxidation number of Fe is 3+ in starting material
and zero in product
Oxidation number of Al is 0 in starting material
and 3+ in product
Oxidation number of oxygen is taken as 2

Exothermic Reactions

Heat flows out of system

Surroundings heat up

Amount of energy liberated equals -730

kJ/mol
where kJ stands for kilojoules a unit of
energy, and mol stands for the quantity
of matter known as a mole

Redox Reactions

Transfer of electrons reaction

Redox means reduction-oxidation

Al(s) gave its electrons to Fe2O3(s)

Al(s) was oxidized

Fe2O3(s) was reduced

Conclusions

Single replacement reaction defined by

the transfer of oxide anion from Fe2O3 to
Al2O3 in this demonstration

Reaction demonstrates concept of heat

flow

Al(s) gave up electrons so is the reducing

agent

Fe2O3(s) gained electrons so it the

oxidizing agent

Comments

Applications in welding and military

incendiary weapons

Discovered by Hans Goldschmidt in

1895

Extremely dangerous reaction that

should not be performed by students

Quiz
1. Who invented the Thermite Process?
2. What is being oxidized in this reaction?
3. What are two applications of this process?
4. What is being reduced in this reaction?
5. Give a definition of an exothermic process.

Answers
1. Hans Goldschmidt
2. Aluminum metal is being oxidized to
aluminum oxide
3. Welding and military incendiary
weapons are a few applications
4. Iron oxide is being reduced to
iron metal
5. Heat flows out of a system and
the surrounding heat up