Page 23 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

 The magnesium
ribbon heats the barium oxide, starting an intense reaction that releases oxygen and enough heat to ignite the mixture of iron and aluminium. The temperature of the mixture reaches 2000°C and molten iron is released. This falls out of the bottom of the plant pot and is captured in a bath of water. The water in the bath is immediately turned to steam.
decompose: to break down a substance (for example by heat or with the aid of a catalyst) into simpler components. In such a chemical reaction only one substance is involved.
ion: an atom, or group of atoms, that has gained or lost one or more electrons and so developed an electrical charge.
oxidation/reduction: a reaction
in which oxygen is gained or lost.
(Also... More generally oxidation involves the loss of electrons.)
How it works
 The whole apparatus is placed out in a field, well away from any inflammable materials. The fuse is lit. The magnesium burns with a brilliant white light. The fuse burns down into the barium peroxide, causing it to decompose, thus releasing oxygen. Enough heat energy is released
to bring the aluminium powder up to the temperature at which it will react.
 As soon as the aluminium powder
is hot enough, it reacts with oxygen from the iron oxide, releasing more heat. This causes the aluminium to form aluminium oxide, a lightweight, fine powder that is easily carried aloft by
the rising currents of heated air. This is what appears as a white smoke.
 The reacting aluminium raises the temperature of the iron oxide to about 2000°C. Because the aluminium takes the oxygen from the iron oxide, the iron metal can flow freely.
 Iron is heavy, so it sinks through the mixture, flowing out of the hole in the bottom of the plant pot.
 The molten iron is collected in a pot filled with water and sand to cool it and prevent it burning its way into the surface below! The water in the container goes up in steam as soon as the iron flows into it, adding to the spectacular effect.
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