The chemical reaction for this:

Fe₂O₃  +  2 Al  -->  2 Fe  +  Al₂O₃   + 

• To produce 50 grams of iron, you will need to begin with 24 g of aluminum powder and 71 g of iron (III) oxide ('rust').

• I use a baby food jar to hold the mixture. 

• Place mixture on ringstand.  I use aluminum foil stretched over an iron ring to support the bottle of thermit mix.

• Magnesium ribbon is used to initiate the reaction.  Ignition will not take place using a match -- not enough activation energy. 

• You can catch the molten iron in a tub of water placed underneath the reaction.

• Molten iron is produced (Fe melts at 2700 ^oF)!

    PowerPoint  (look for file!)

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