The thermite reaction is initiated by the heat released from the mixture of potassium permanganate and glycerine. Use of the ignition of magnesium ribbon to initiate the desired reaction is not as reliable as the one given. Materials Preparation: 50 – 55 g iron (III) oxide powder, Fe 2 O 3 15 g aluminum powder The thermite mixture should be composed of 25.3% Al and 74.7% Fe 2 O 3 (by weight) to provide the proper molar quantities. I mix the two reactants thoroughly, using anywhere from 30 - 120 g of powder for each demonstration. An example of thermite reaction is the reduction of iron (III) oxide by using aluminium powder Iron metal is produced when a mixture of iron (III) oxide and aluminium powder is ignited with a magnesium ribbon. The iron, so obtained, is in the molten state due to the large amount of heat liberated in the process. The thermite reaction is a highly exothermic reaction in which metal essentially burns. Here's how you can perform the thermite reaction safely.
