Question

How does the combustion reaction of thermite get its oxygen to sustain the reaction

Answer 1

Answer : A thermite reaction is basically when an iron oxide (rust) reacting with aluminum to produce molten iron.

Explanation : The reaction is initiated by the heat from burning magnesium ribbon which is placed in the iron oxide/aluminum mixture. This reaction is highly exothermic and produces molten metal at about 3000°C.

This works because the thermite mixture is aluminum powder and iron oxide (rust) powder. When the mixture is heated, it starts reacting with the aluminum which is more reactive than the iron, so it "pinches" the oxygen from the iron to make aluminum oxide and iron.

A balanced equation for the reaction can be given as :-

`Fe_(2)O_(3) + 2 Al ----> Al_(2)O_(3) + 2Fe`

Therefore, the energy required in breaking the bonds initially is more and energy required in forming new bonds is less.

Due to which a lot of energy in form of heat is released.

∴ It is an exothermic reaction.

Answer 2

Combustion is an exothermic reaction, so it gives heat, but sometimes the reaction go on so slowly that a temperature, it can’t be notice the change. Combustion usually occurs when a hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.