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In the lab FeS or iron sulfide, pyrite, is formed by heating a test tube containing powdered iron and powdered sulfur. This is conveniently done because reactions are faster when surface area between reactants, in this case iron and sulfur, is maximized. Heating in a Pyrex test tube using a lab Bunsen burner makes the reaction go very fast. Because this generates much heat, the tube needs to be taken out of the flame when the mixture starts to glow red. Always wear a face shield and have expert supervision, this is a violent reaction.

In nature iron occurs as iron oxides. Sulfur appears as the free element in nature.

When heated together, as in a volcano, the sulfur reacts with the iron oxides forming pyrite and oxygen. Due to the high temperatures the oxygen reacts with excess sulfur forming various sulfur oxides, depending entirely on proportions and surface interaction.

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14y ago

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