Question:

Aluminium is used in thermite welding because-

Updated On: Jun 3, 2023
  • aluminium is a light metal
  • aluminium has more affinity for oxygen
  • aluminium is a strong oxidising agent
  • aluminium is a reactive metal
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The Correct Option is B

Approach Solution - 1

The affinity for oxygen in the case of aluminium is higher than that of iron and therefore, it acts as a strong reducing agent with iron, $Fe _{2} O _{3}+2 Al \rightarrow 2 Fe + Al _{2} O _{3}$ $Cr _{2} O _{3}+2 Al \rightarrow 2 Cr + Al _{2} O _{3}$ This is an important application in the melting of metals. The reaction, being exothermic, produces large amount of heat, thus melting the metal and the process is called thermite welding.
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Approach Solution -2

You should be aware that thermite is a brand name for a granular combination of aluminum metal and powdered ferric oxide.
The reduction of the metallic oxide with Al is known as the thermite process.
Aluminum powder and ferric oxide are utilized in thermite welding. Aluminium has a higher affinity for oxygen, reducing the ferric oxide to elemental iron during welding and producing a lot of heat. The molten elemental iron so created will seal the damaged portions, resulting in a strong connection. Aluminum is also widely used due to its high boiling point and inexpensive cost. It is used to link railway rails during the welding process.
Here in this reaction, we can see that aluminum powder is used as it is a strong reducing agent and it reduces Fe2O3
 to iron. Reduced molten iron sinks and flows into the gap of the grinder, thereby welding it.
Fe2O3+2Al→Al2O3+2Fe
 
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Approach Solution -3

Fe2O3( s)+2Al(s)⟶Al2O3( s)+2Fe(s)
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Concepts Used:

General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

What are Ores and Minerals? 

Minerals are the naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substances. They are having a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure, hardness and color. For example, copper pyrite, calamine, etc.

Impurities in an ore are called gauge. The removal of a gauge from the ore is called concentration ore. 

Several steps are involved in the extraction of pure metal from ores. Major steps are as follows –

  • Concentration of the ore
  • Isolation of the metal from its concentrated ore
  • Purification of the metal