SRA026 - Thermite reaction in flower pots
The thermite reaction is conducted on a relatively large scale in a pair of small flower pots. The white hot molten iron pours though holes in the base onto a thick layer of sand in a metal tray or similar.The mixture is ignited using a domestic sparkler but a variation is also described using an igniter mixture.Schools are advised not to deviate from the details described in this risk assessment.
Note:- These activities are designed to be carried out individually as part of a lesson conducted in a secondary school science laboratory. The procedures are not intended for use in other contexts – for example in a primary school classroom or other non-science or non-school setting.
The activities should not be used to create a ‘whizz bang’ science show.
Experience suggests that using a number of activities one after the other in this way gives rise to unpredictable additional risks which the individual procedures may not manage appropriately.
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