The reaction of a metal M with Fe2O3 is highly exothermic and is used to join railway tracks. Identify the meta M and write chemica equation for its reaction with Fe2o3
Solution:
- Compound M is Aluminium = Al.
- The reaction is - thermite reaction. The thermit (or thermite) reaction is the name given to a series of displacement reactions between powdered aluminium and various oxides or sulphides of metals that are below aluminium in the reactivity series of metals. In this reaction, the finely-divided aluminium has a great ability to reduce certain metal oxides and displace from the compound,with the evolution of sufficient heat to melt both the metal and the alumina produced.
- The balanced chemical reaction is: Fe2O3 + 2 Al → 2 Fe + Al2O3