Train Tracks, Iron Rails,are Difficult to Weld

question 107

Essay

Train tracks, iron rails,are difficult to weld. Large pieces of iron, like train tracks, can be "spot-welded" by placing a mixture of powdered aluminum and iron (III) oxide between the two pieces of iron and adding to that a small amount of sulfuric acid to get a reaction started.
a) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of aluminum and iron (III) oxide (ignore the role of sulfuric acid in this).
b) Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents.
c) Identify the oxidation and reduction products.

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