Calcium Carbide

Products

Calcium carbide is available from pharmacies and drugstores, among others, which can order it from specialized suppliers (e.g., Hänseler).

Structure and properties

Calcium carbide (CaC₂, M_r = 64.1 g/mol) reacts with water to form the flammable gas ethyne (C₂H₂) and calcium hydroxide.

Fields of application (selection)

• For carbide lamps
• For driving away moles
• Carbide can be misused to make small explosive devices (for example, together with water in a PET bottle with an ignition source). It should therefore be given to young people only with caution.