Reaction of Iron and Oxygen
Description: When a red-hot wad of steel is placed in oxygen, the steel wool glows more brightly, and many sparks are produced.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 66
Keywords: Steel wool, Oxygen, Iron, Sparks
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Oxidizer
- Burn hazard
- Inhalation hazard
- Flammability hazard
Effectiveness: Excellent
- Results are observable without guidance
- High reliability
- Spectacular effects are seen by audience
- Time to results is low
- Good connection from demo to course material
Difficulty: Medium
- Procedures with some intermediate steps to results
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
- Demos at non-standard conditions
- Prior practice recommended
Safety Precautions:
- High temperature gloves required
- Eye protection required
- Perform on thermally resistant surface
- Perform in well-ventilated area
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Redox, Kinetics
Division: General
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