Chemical Reactions: combustion of iron

In this experiment we are going to look further into what happens when the combustion of iron occurs...

The definition of combustion: The process of burning something.

Combustion is a chemical reaction.

Have you ever thought of what somethings weighs before and after it's burnt?  Well in this experiment that's exactly what we are going to do!

When doing this experiment please be careful as it does involve fire.  Ensure there is nothing like paper or cloth or anything else that can easily catch fire around.  Also it is very important that you wear goggles for this experiment.

What you will need:

• A bunsen burner, or chefs torch - you could try an alcohol burner if you have one
  
• Steel wool - like you use to scrub the pans
• Tongs
  
• Weighing scales
  
• A metal baking tray

How to do this investigation...

STEP ONE

Put the metal baking tray on the weighing scales and reset the scales in preparation of the weighing of the steel wool.

Now although Steel is an iron-carbon alloy, it is the reaction between the iron and oxygen that we will be looking at in this experiment.

STEP TWO

Place a whole piece of steel wool on the metal baking tray that's on the scales and weigh it in grams.

Not down how much it weighs.

HYPOTHESISE!

How much will it weigh after combustion?  Will it weigh more or less?

STEP THREE

I used a chef's torch for this.  While the steel wool is on the metal baking tray, use the torch to burn the wool!

Be sure that your surface is heat proof before you being this part.

STEP FOUR

Wait for it to cool a little and then place the same metal baking tray onto the scales, reset the scales then add the steel wool.

Does it way more or less?

More?

Do you know why? 

The reason why it gains weight is because the oxygen in the air, through the chemical reaction caused by heat, chemically combines with the iron in the steel.  Therefore it adds to the weight.

Do you know what the balanced equation is for the combustion (sometimes referred to as the oxidation) of Iron?

4Fe + O2 --> 2Fe2 O2
(s)        (g)           (s)

(s) = solid
(g) = gas