What is Calcium Carbide?
Pure Calcium Carbide is a colourless and odourless solid with the chemical formula CaC2.
Commercial Calcium Carbide, however, may present in a relatively wide range of colours depending on the impurities present (usually calcium, magnesium, and other oxides).
CaC2 is a chemical compound with a chemical name Calcium Carbide. It is also known as calcium acetylide, phenyl glyceryl ether diacetate, and glycerol phenyl ether diacetate. Calcium Carbide in its pure form appears as a colourless crystalline solid and is a rock-like structure at room temperature.
Table of Contents
Calcium Carbide Structure (CaC2 Structure)
Calcium Carbide Structure – CaC2
Production of Calcium Carbide – CaC2
Production of calcium carbide in industries is as follows.
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- The mixture used is coke and lime
- Temperature range is set at approximately 2,200 °C
- The entire process is carried out in an electric arc furnace
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This compound is widely used in the manufacture of calcium cyanamide and acetylene.
Properties of Calcium Carbide – CaC2
| CaC2 | Calcium Carbide |
| Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass | 64.099 g/mol |
| Density | 2.22 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point | 2160 0C |
| Boiling Point | 2300 oC |
Uses of Calcium Carbide (CaC2)
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- It is used in the production of calcium hydroxide and acetylene.
- It is used in the production of polyvinyl chloride as acetylene the derivative of calcium carbide can be used as a raw material for the production of PVC.
- It is used to produce calcium cyanamide.
- It is used in the removal of sulphur from iron. The removal of sulphur from any material is called desulphurization.
- It is used in lamps such as carbide lamps. In the early days, it was used as headlights for automobiles.
- Used as a ripening agent like ethylene.
- It is used in bamboo cannons as well as big-bang cannons.
- It is used as a deoxidizer i.e it helps in the removal of oxygen during the manufacturing of steel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the uses of calcium carbide?
Calcium carbide can be reacted with water to produce acetylene and calcium hydroxide. Calcium cyanamide can also be produced from this compound by reacting it with nitrogen at relatively high temperatures. Calcium carbide is also used in the desulphirisation of iron.
What is the role of calcium carbide in carbide lamps?
In carbide lamps, calcium carbide plays an integral role. Water dripping on the carbide creates acetylene gas, which burns and emits light. Carbide lamps were still commonly used in early cars, motorcycles, and bicycles as headlights, but were eventually replaced by electric lamps
How is calcium carbide produced?
Calcium carbide can be produced industrially from a mixture of lime and coke at about 2.200 ° C (3.990 ° F) in an electric arc furnace. In conventional combustion, the high temperature needed for this reaction is not technically achievable, so the reaction is performed in an electric arc furnace with graphite electrodes.
Learn more about the structure, physical and chemical properties of Calcium Carbide (CaC2) from the expert faculties at BYJU’S.
Other Related Links:
| Glycerin | Calcium |
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