Calcium Carbide Formula and Properties

What is the chemical formula for calcium carbide?

True or False: The formula for calcium carbide is Ca4C2?

Answer:

The statement is False. The formula for calcium carbide is actually CaC2.

Calcium carbide is a chemical compound composed of calcium and carbon. The formula CaC2 indicates that each calcium atom is bonded with two carbon atoms. This compound is commonly used in the production of acetylene gas.

Calcium carbide is a grayish-black solid with a garlic-like odor. It reacts vigorously with water to produce acetylene gas, which is highly flammable. The production of acetylene gas by reacting calcium carbide with water is used in various industrial applications, such as welding and cutting metals.

Overall, the correct chemical formula for calcium carbide is CaC2, where one calcium atom is bonded with two carbon atoms.