Texes Art EC-12 Practice Exam

In ceramics, which oxide is used to produce a glaze with red tones?

1. Iron Oxide

2. Vanadium Oxide

3. Nickel Oxide

4. Copper Oxide

The correct answer is: Iron Oxide

Iron oxide is commonly used in ceramics to produce glazes with red tones. This is due to the way iron oxide behaves when it is fired in a kiln. At high temperatures, iron oxide can reduce to iron in different oxidation states, which affects the color of the glaze. In an oxidizing atmosphere, iron oxide primarily yields shades of yellow to brown, but when it's in a reduction atmosphere, it can create deep, rich reds. The presence of iron in its ferrous state is essential for achieving those vibrant red hues. Understanding how different oxides interact with the firing process and the type of atmosphere (oxidizing vs. reducing) in the kiln is crucial for ceramic artists seeking to achieve specific colors. Other oxides, while they can produce a range of colors, do not primarily yield red tones like iron oxide does. This characteristic makes iron oxide a fundamental material for artists focusing on creating red glazes in their ceramic work.