 We will use the thermite reaction as an example of a very exothermic reaction. The thermite mixture consists of iron-3 oxide and aluminum powder. A small piece of magnesium ribbon is used as an igniter. The reaction is extremely exothermic, is an oxidation reduction reaction between the aluminum and the iron plus 3 ion. The iron plus 3 ion is reduced by the aluminum to iron metal. The reaction is so exothermic that the iron is melted and drips through the bottom of the flower pot. The melting point of iron is about 1500 degrees Celsius.