Question 20.1

Write the balanced chemical equation for the following reaction and identify the type of reaction.

Thermit reaction: Iron (III) oxide reacts with aluminium and gives molten iron and aluminium oxide.

Given below is the chemical equation for the given chemical reaction:

${\text{Fe}}_2{\text{O}}_3\text{(s)}+2\text{Al(s)}\to {\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3\text{(s)}+2\text{Fe(molten)}+\text{Heat}$

In the given reaction aluminium being more reactive displaces iron from its salt. Also, iron (III) oxide is oxidising aluminium to aluminium oxide by getting itself reduced. So the given reaction is a single displacement reaction and a redox reaction.