Where to find carbide? What precautions are necessary?

Where to find carbide? It was this question that asked all men, being children. Calcium carbide is formed by the interaction of Ca and carbon oxide at a high temperature. Often, it is left welders after the work.

What does carbide look like?

To determine where to find carbide in the street, you need to know its physical properties. Physically, the substance is solid, its color may be dark, having a grayish or brown hue. Color depends on the amount of carbon. There is also a specific smell that characterizes this substance.

In consistence, it is hard, but easily crumbles, turning into a powder. If you bring a match, then the burning begins with the liberation of carbon and the decomposition of calcium. True, this can be achieved at high temperatures, for example, a hunting match.

Qualitative reaction

Little knowledge of where to find carbide, you need to make sure of the authenticity of the substance. For a qualitative reaction, you need only a little water (you can even use your own saliva on the street). During the interaction of CaC ₂ , methane and calcium hydroxide are released. You can observe a characteristic hiss, and if you bring a match at that moment - ignition.

Due to violent reaction with water, carbide decomposes from atmospheric moisture. Therefore, the question of where to find calcium carbide on the street is very controversial. It is known that in its pure form it does not exist, this compound is mostly artificial rather than natural.

Application of the substance

Calcium carbide is actively used in industry. It is a catalyst in the synthesis of organic compounds. With its help it became possible to synthesize rubber for a lower price. However, in order to do this, it is first necessary to conduct the necessary chemical reactions to synthesize its own carbide, and only then rubber. More and more chemists are wondering where to find carbide in nature, in order to facilitate their work.

Carbide has found its application in gardening. On its basis, farmers receive a fertilizer called calcium cyanide. It is used to improve the growth of the root system of seedlings and adult plants.

Precautionary measures

CaC ₂ - an unstable connection that tends to explode. The fact is that calcium can even enter into a reaction with air, and as a result of the reaction volatile gases are formed. The slightest spark can cause instant fire with the release of a huge amount of heat and methane, which will lead to sad consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to transport the substance in sealed containers.

Lovers of livehowers and "sharp experiments" with carbide should take care of their own safety. When working with the substance should wear special gloves, if you take carbide with your bare hands, they will be impossible to wash. Reaction with water causes not only the release of methane and heat, so a skin burn will be provided.

Is carbide sold?

The easiest way to find carbide is a specialized hardware store. Now calcium carbide is sold absolutely quietly, though not in all stores it is available. It is worth buying if it is necessary for the case, and not for experiments that can irreparably damage the skin.

Interesting Facts

Calcium carbide was first obtained by the famous chemist Edmund Davy. The scientist received it by heating acetic calcium. As a result, calcium carbide was obtained, but this is not all. The famous chemist noticed that when interacting with water, a colorless, explosive gas, odorless, is released. Thus, the well-known acetylene (methane or hydrogen carbon) was discovered. This was one of the great discoveries in the field of organic chemistry, and later gave rise to the production of organic compounds such as rubber, resin, styrene.