What gas is formed by dissolving calcium carbide in water?

When calcium carbide is dissolved in water, a chemical reaction occurs that produces acetylene gas. This process can be represented by the equation:

[ \text{CaC}_2 + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_2 + \text{Ca(OH)}_2 ]

In this reaction, the calcium carbide (CaC₂) reacts with water (H₂O) to form acetylene (C₂H₂) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂). Acetylene is a hydrocarbon and is widely known for its use in oxyacetylene welding and cutting.

The production of acetylene from calcium carbide is significant because it highlights the reactivity of calcium carbide with water and the generation of a flammable gas that has practical applications in metalworking.