Compound X and aluminium are used to join railway tracks. (a) Idemjfy the compound X (b) Name the reaction (c) Write down its reaction.

Explanation

Railway trackcs as we all know, are made up of iron. This means that the compound 'A' is an oxide of iron `(Fe_(2)O_(3))`. It is reduced by aluminium by thermit reaction with aluminium.
`Fe_(2)O_(3)(s) + 2Al(s) rarrAl_(2)O_(3) (s) + 2Fe(s) + "heat"`.
The reaction is highly exothermic and as a result, iron is in molten state and can weld the broken railway tracks. The process is also called aluminothermic reduction or thermit process.