Sparklers
Rusting can be a very quick and powerful reaction. The type of rusting that we are familiar with is slow. Given the right conditions this reaction occurs very fast and gives off a great deal of energy.

Sparklers contain a mixture of metals which include aluminium, iron and magnesium. The mixture also contains oxidants. Oxidants are chemicals that produce oxygen when they are heated. The heat energy produced speeds up the oxygen molecules and causes them to collide quickly and violently with the metal atoms. The reaction now proceeds very quickly indeed.

Al = aluminium, Fe = Iron, Mg = Magnesium.

1) Write the two half equations for the formation of each oxide compound below.

Sparklers are good example of the energy released during rusting reactions. Click to see a120kb movie of a home made sparkler.

Activity - Make your own sparklers.