Calcium Carbide
chemical formula: CaC2
( small chunks )
Calcium Carbide is generally used to produce Acetylene gas. When it comes in contact with water, it will react violently, producing bubbles of highly flammable Acetylene gas and steam. Old miner's lamps used Calcium Carbide and a slow water drip to generate Acetylene gas, which was ignited to produce light. Carbide Cannons were old toys that used Calcium Carbide (which they sometimes call "Bangsite") and a little water to make their loud reports. A fun material to experiment with.