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 caving, 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.
Gas lighting, using acetylene gase generated from carbide, was used in some homes before the incandescent lamp came into widespread use. In the theatres of the time, this type of lighting was called 'lime-light', as the powdery residue that remains after carbide has reacted with water is lime.
Tungsten carbide is a metalic alloy that is commaly refered to as carbide.