Calcium Carbide Experiments

Calcium carbide may be used to make acetylene gas.

Calcium carbide is definitely an ionic compound using the formula CaC2. It's made by mixing lime and carbon within an electric arc furnace. Beside its use within industry, it may also function as a prop for many experiments.

Types

When water is dripped onto calcium carbide, it responds to create a flammable gas known as ethyne or acetylene. The output of acetylene may be the chief utilization of calcium carbide in industry. Teachers can demonstrate this property of acetylene through a number of different experiments -- planning acetylene, creating a calcium carbide/acetylene light or perhaps creating a calcium carbide cannon.

Function

A calcium carbide light functions by dripping water onto calcium carbide in a steady, pre-determined rate, then uses the acetylene this reaction creates to sustain a flame. This result can be shown inside a chemistry class utilizing a ring stand. A calcium carbide cannon is much more complex to create but uses the ignition of acetylene created by water responding with calcium carbide to fireplace the cannon.

Warning

Acetylene is really a highly flammable gas. It's vital to become very careful when planning or undertaking experiments including calcium carbide and also to take all appropriate safety safeguards.