The Carbide reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Carbide

Carbide is a polyatomic ion consisting of two carbon atoms or any salt containing such an ion. The ion carries a -2 charge.

Under conditions of standard temperature and pressure, metal carbides react strongly with water to form metal oxides or hydroxides and flammable acetylene gas.

Carbide lamps, an important source of portable subterranean illumination for mining and spelunking, and in the past for lighthouse lamps, work through on-demand production and combustion of acetylene by the metered addition of water to calcium carbide.

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