TWO RUSTY SPHERES - THERMITE

 

Take two rusty, high-density, steel spheres with aluminum foil. Smash the two together. Result = release of heat energy + a bang + spark + aluminum oxide

Reaction of rust (iron oxide) + the aluminum = the chemistry of a thermite reaction.

Thermite reaction: "Goldschmidt reaction". Aluminum metal is oxidized by the oxide of another metal, most commonly iron oxide. oxide = rust

Thermite is a mixture of two such chemicals. Thermite reactions have many uses. (Welding, cutting metals & some explosives).

Aluminum is by far the cheapest of the highly reactive metals.

 

The melting & boiling points of aluminum make it ideal for thermite reactions. Its relatively low melting point (660°C ) (easy to react).
Its high boiling point (2519°C) enables the reaction to reach very high temperatures.

A thermite reaction can be used to purify the ores of some metals, Thermite processes. Ie. to purify uranium

Using iron oxide, it should contain, by mass, 25.3% aluminum and 74.7% iron oxide. Formula:

Fe₂O₃(s) + 2Al(s) → Al₂O₃(s) + 2Fe(s) 

 

Thermite was invented in 1893 by German chemist Dr. Hans Goldschmidt.