Thermite Reaction

AQA AS-level ChemistryOxidation and ReductionLesson 10 of 15

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:

Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz

BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.

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.