☄️ Thermite: virtual chemistry experiment
Aluminium reduces iron oxide in a shower of sparks and molten iron.
▶ Launch this experiment freeRuns in your browser on any phone, tablet or laptop. No sign-up, no install, no chemicals needed.
What you'll do
- Press "Ignite" to light the magnesium fuse
The chemistry behind it
Fe₂O₃ + 2Al → Al₂O₃ + 2Fe, ΔH ≈ −850 kJ/mol. The heat released melts the iron (it reaches over 2500 °C).
Why do this experiment virtually?
Many school labs can't run this experiment safely or don't have the chemicals. In Faradium you set it up in seconds, repeat it as often as you like, change the amounts and see the real result: colours, gases, precipitates and temperature changes. The lab notebook records every observation with the balanced equation for your write-up.
Frequently asked questions
How do you do the thermite experiment?
1. Press "Ignite" to light the magnesium fuse You can run every step free in the Faradium virtual chemistry lab.
What is the chemistry behind thermite?
Fe₂O₃ + 2Al → Al₂O₃ + 2Fe, ΔH ≈ −850 kJ/mol. The heat released melts the iron (it reaches over 2500 °C).
Can I do the thermite experiment online for free?
Yes. Faradium sets up the bench for you and ticks off each step as you complete it. It runs in any browser on a phone, tablet or laptop with no sign-up and no chemicals.
Chemistry in this experiment
Elements involved: Oxygen (O), Aluminium (Al), Iron (Fe).
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