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 4500°F

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