Displacement reactions producing metals in the molten state are known as thermit reactions. An example is the use of the thermit reaction (iron(III) oxide with aluminium) to join railway tracks or repair cracked machine parts.
What is the term for displacement reactions that produce metals in the molten state and are highly exothermic? Give an example of an application of such a reaction.
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The term for displacement reactions that produce metals in the molten state and are highly exothermic is “thermite reactions.” One notable example is the thermite reaction between iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃) and aluminum (Al):
2Al(s) + Fe₂O₃ (s) → 2Fe(l) + Al₂O₃ (s)
This reaction releases a large amount of heat and produces molten iron. Thermite reactions are commonly used for applications such as welding. The intense heat generated in the process allows localized melting and bonding of metals, making it a valuable technique for joining railway tracks, repairing metal parts, or in other situations requiring high-temperature metal fusion.