Since it is Friday, today is a good day to explore the classic exothermic reaction of thermite. Thermite is a mixture of iron oxide and aluminum. When ignited, it undergoes a vigorous single-replacement reaction. Use the metal activity series to explain why the reaction is so vigorous. You can also propose the equation that describes this reaction.
Another interesting facet to explore is thermite's role in the Hindenberg explosion.
This reaction was interesting because it was a reaction between iron oxide and aluminum powder as a single replacement reaction.
ReplyDeleteI found it especially interesting that the cause for such a huge explosion(Hindenburg explosion) was because there were traces of thermite in the paint.
The fact that burning thermite is three times as hot as molten lava is crazy.
I thought that this reaction was interesting because it was a single replacement reaction and not a combustion action. It was almost interesting that they used 1,000 pounds of thermite! Another amazing fact is that burning thermite is THREE times hotter than molten lava.
ReplyDeleteThis was a single replacement reaction between aluminum powder and iron oxide, but how is this a single replacement reaction and not a combustion?
ReplyDelete--Morgan Wheeler
Thermites are a group of pyrotechnics mixtures in which a reactive metal reduces oxygen from a metallic oxide. This produces a lot of heat, slag and pure metal. The most common thermite is ferroaluminum thermite, made from aluminum (reactive metal) and iron oxide (metal oxide). When it burns it produces aluminum oxide (slag) and pure iron. Thermite is usually used to cut or weld metal.
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly was the myth they were trying to bust?
ReplyDeleteI thought the most interesting thing about the experiemtn was that the thermite was so hot, and that they used so much of it. (Although I'd have to disagree with them-- explosions are much more interesting.)
I thought the same question that Abby Nee brought up. What myth were they busting?
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was interesting to know that burning thermite is three times hotter than molten lava. I didn't know the UVA rays were so intense that you needed a welders mask.
How did thermite come to be? Who discovered that when you mix iron oxide and aluminum that you get this type of reaction?
ReplyDeleteIf they had to mix their own, is it legal for just an everyday, average person to make this?
I thought it was interesting that thermite is 3 times hotter than molten lava, and I was a little disappointed that it didn't actually cut the car in half.
How long does the thermite burn for before it goes completely out? And why doesn't the thermite spread and do more damage?
ReplyDeleteI think the single- replacement reaction is very powerful, producing heats, energy and fire. The huge explosion is amazing. But i wonder why they did that experiment because they just ruined the car.
ReplyDelete--------Sue Oh
I found some information that says the theory about thermite being involved in the Hindenburg explosion is a myth. Apparently, the ratio of iron oxide to aluminum was not enough to cause a thermite reaction. Plus, thermite is heavy, so if there was a lot in the paint, the Hindenburg would not have been able to fly. Here is the website for more information:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster/myths
Can they tell how long the reaction will last when measuring out the mixture? I was also wondering why it burned through some parts of the car, but not others. Does it have to do with the metals?
ReplyDeleteI think this is rally scary, how it could burn while just mixing it because of the heat and friction? Sence this is so dangerous is it illegal or you need some sort of document to buy the items to make thermite? I sure hope so. Also sence its so hot , maybe could it be put in somthing that it wouldnt melt or if they lessen theingredents needed to made it, it wouldnt harm and burn like molton lava, and we could one day make a mixure of thermite and somthing else creaing a "hot" new feul. Just an idea.. Im not really sure?
ReplyDeleteArianna
I believe the formula for this particular reaction is Fe2O3 + 2Al ---- 2Fe + Al2O3. The reaction produces molten Iron, Aluminum Oxide and, obviously, a lot of heat. Crazy reaction! I don't know how they got the permission to do it...
ReplyDeleteWhen i first heard of thermite It didnt occur to me that it would be a combination of two things that needed to be mixd together in a certain way. I thought it was interesting that even by mixing the materials together they could ignite.It's also interesting that it a self oxidizing material and can't be put out by anything.
ReplyDelete