Question

name the chemical substance used to join railway tracks. is thermite reaction also a redox reaction? explain.

Answer 1

Thermite is the chemical that is used in welding of railway tracks. It is normally a mixture of iron oxide and aluminium metal.

When reacted it, Aluminium reduces iron oxide to iron and itself gets oxidised i.e. a redox reaction occurs

Fe₂O₃ + 2 Al → 2 Fe + Al₂O₃

Due to the exothermic nature the reaction, iron is obtianed in molten form and can be used for welding of the railway tracks.