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Thermite Reaction

The thermite reaction is an exothermic reaction in which aluminium reacts with iron(III) oxide.The reaction produces a lot of heat and is used to weld metals together.2Al(s) + Fe2O3 → 2Fe(l) + Al2O3 To balance the equation write the oxidation states:
Al(s) + Fe2O3 → Fe(l) + Al2O3
0 +3 -2 0 +3 -2

The iron has been reduced: Fe3+(s) + 3e- → Fe(l) The aluminium has been oxidised: Al(s) → Al3+(s) + 3e- The number of electrons gained must equal the number of electrons lost. Two moles of aluminium will produce 2 moles of iron. 2Al(s) + Fe2O3(s) → 2Fe(l) + Al2O3(s)

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Specification: AQA Chemistry (7404), AS-level, 3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations. Topic: Oxidation and Reduction.

Key terms in this lesson

Mole
The amount of substance that contains as many particles as there are atoms in exactly 12g of carbon-12.
Exothermic
Describes a reaction in which energy is transferred from the system to the surroundings, so the enthalpy change is negative.
Oxidation
The addition of oxygen, the removal of hydrogen, the loss of electrons, or an increase in oxidation number.
Oxidation number
A number that represents the number of electrons an atom has lost or gained, or would do if the compound were fully ionic.

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All 15 lessons in Oxidation and Reduction · All AQA AS-level Chemistry topics