The reaction of carbide (calcium carbide) with water gives ethyne (also known as acetylene). This reaction is an example of an acid-base reaction, where the carbide acts as a base and water acts as an acid. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
CaC2 + 2H2O → C2H2 + Ca(OH)2
The ethyne gas produced in this reaction is widely used as a fuel for welding and cutting metals, as well as for other industrial applications.