When Calcium ethynide is decomposed by water, the gas produced is

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Chemistry - 2024 Subject: Chemistry

Question 1 Report

When Calcium ethynide is decomposed by water, the gas produced is 
Answer Details

When water reacts with calcium ethynide, the gas produced is ethyne (also known as acetylene), which is represented by the chemical formula C2H2.


The chemical reaction involved is as follows:


CaC2 + 2 H2O → C2H2 + Ca(OH)2


Let's break down this process to make it understandable:


  • Calcium ethynide (CaC2), often called calcium carbide, is a compound composed of calcium and the acetylide ion (C22-).
  • When water (H2O) is added to calcium carbide, a chemical reaction occurs.
  • The reaction produces **ethyne (C2H2)**, a colorless gas with a distinctive odor.
  • Another product of this reaction is calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), which is a solid.

The key point to remember here is that the gas produced is **ethyne (C2H2)**, which is useful in various industrial applications, such as welding and as a precursor for other chemicals.

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