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Question

Name the gas used in holmes signal and how.


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Solution

Holmes signal:

  • The Holmes signal is made up of a variety of chemicals that react with water to produce fumes.
  • On the ocean surface, the Holmes signal is a vivid red-colored signal, which is why it is mainly used by sailors for creating emergency lighting on the sea surface during the night.

The gas used in holmes signal:

  • The Holmes signal is consists of a basic container filled with a combination of two chemicals i.e Calcium carbide and Calcium phosphide that react with water to produce a signal, used to deliver a Holmes signal, which can be shown as:

CaC2Calciumcarbide+2H2OWater→C2H2Acetylene+Ca(OH)2CalciumhydroxideCa3P2Calciumphosphide+6H2OWater→2PH3Phosphene+3Ca(OH)2Calciumhydroxide

  • Here, the interaction of Calcium carbide with water produces Acetylene, whereas the reaction of Calcium phosphide with water produces Phosphine.
  • The produced Phosphine and Acetylene when comes in touch with air, ignite instantly, producing a vivid red flame.
  • Hence, the combined burning of these two gases is employed as a Holmes signal.
  • Phosphine is mainly used for creating smoke screens as it gives large smoke.

Hence, the name of the gas used in holmes signal is Phosphine.


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