Fe₃O₄ + 4 Mg → 4 MgO + 3 Fe

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

Mg is a reducing agent, Fe₃O₄ is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

• Fe₃O₄ – Iron(II) iron(III) oxide
  • Other names: Iron(II,III) oxide , Ferrous ferric oxide , Ferroso ferric oxide ... show moreIron(II , III) oxide , Magnetite , Black iron oxide , Lodestone , Rust , Iron(II) diiron(III) oxide , Ferro ferric oxide , Ferric ferrous oxide , Ferrosoferric oxide , Triiron tetraoxide show less
  • Appearance: Solid black powder
• Mg
  • Names: Magnesium , Magnesium (powder) , Magnesium (pellets) ... show moreMg , Element 12 , Magnesium turnings show less
  • Appearance: Grey powder ; Silvery-white metallic solid in various forms

Products:

• MgO – Magnesium oxide
  • Other names: Magnesia , Periclase , Magnesium oxide fume ... show moreMgO , Magmitt , Calcined brucite , Calcined magnesia , Magnesia fume show less
  • Appearance: White powder ; Hygroscopic fine white powder ; Finely divided white particulate dispersed in air. [Note: Exposure may occur when magnesium is burned, thermally cut, or welded upon.]
• Fe
  • Names: Iron , Fe , Element 26 ... show moreFer , 26Fe , Eisen , Ferrum , Hierro , Carbonyl iron , Electrolytic iron , Ferrum metallicum , Iron powder , Iron, carbonyl , Iron, electrolytic , Iron, elemental , Iron, reduced , Reduced iron show less