Question

On strong heating of CaO and C. The product formed is/are:
(A) Ca and CO
(B) $Ca{{C}_{2}}$ and CO
(C) $Ca{{(OH)}_{2}}$
(D) $Ca{{C}_{2}}$ and $C{{O}_{2}}$

Answer 1

Hint: Before we move on to answer this question, and write the products, we should be knowing the kind of reaction that is mentioned in the question. On heating calcium oxide and carbon, that is CaO and C, the reaction that follows is known as decomposition reaction.

Complete step by step answer:
Chemical decomposition defined as the process or the effect of simplifying a single chemical entity into two or more fragments. Chemical decomposition is also known as chemical breakdown. Chemical decomposition is known to be the exact opposite of chemical synthesis.
When CaO and C react with each other, they produce calcium carbide and carbon monoxide.
The formula of calcium carbide is $Ca{{C}_{2}}$ and that of carbon monoxide is CO.
The reaction between CaO and C, given below:
     \[CaO+3C\to Ca{{C}_{2}}+CO\]

So we can explain the reaction that calcium oxide and carbon combines with each other to produce calcium carbide and carbon monoxide.
Therefore, we can say that the correct answer is Option B.
The reaction mentioned in the question takes place at a temperature around ${{700}^{\circ }}C$. The high temperature that is required for the reaction cannot be achieved by conventional combustion method. So, this reaction is performed in an electric arc furnace, with graphite electrodes.
So, the correct answer is “Option B”.

Note: The calcium carbide that is produced can be used in various processes such as sulphurization of iron. We can also use calcium carbide as a fuel in steelmaking to extend the scrap ratio to liquid iron. Calcium carbide is also a very strong deoxidizer and can be used for ladle treatment facilities.