Heating things up High-temperature chemical reactions

Heating things up High-temperature chemical reactions 

The most widely used method for preparing solid materials of pure form is by reacting them at high temperatures (in the correct molar proportions) over an extended period of time. Generally, temperatures of 2000 °C are achieved using furnaces or ovens and specialized glassware. 

Carbon is the most common reductamt in use, which is used in the form of coke — a cheap and readily available material. The reduction by carbon is used to generate iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and lead. 

Additionally, ainother metal can also be used to reduce elements, as commonly seen with alumina (AI2O3). The oxidation of aluminum gives off a large amount of energy, in what is known as the thermite reaction. This reaction is used to fuel the flame of underwater welding machines, for example. Some of the elements purified in this way include manganese, boron, and chromium. 

An important observation of the redox reaction is that there is a transfer of electrons from the reducing agent to the oxidizing agent. Remember, a flow of electrons is the basis for the electrical current. Essentially, the strongest reducing agent is the electron itself. 

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