Inorganic Chemistry> Which gas is used in holmes signal and ho...

Which gas is used in holmes signal and how?

Indu , 11 Years ago

Grade 12

6 Answers

ruchi yadav

Last Activity: 11 Years ago

The spontaneous combustion of phosphine is technically used in Holme's
signals. Containers containing calciumcarbide and calcium phosphide are
pierced and thrown in the sea when the gases evolved burn and serve as a
signal . It is also used in smoke screens.
Containers which have a perforated bottom and a hole at the top are filed with calcium phosphide and calcium carbide. These are thrown into the sea. Waterebters the containersthrough the bottom and and reacts to give acetylene and phosphine. Phosphine gets ignited spontaneously as it comes in contact with air and also ignites acetylene. Thus a bright red flame is produced which is accompanied by huge smoke due to the burning of phosphine. This serves as a signal to the approaching ships.

Thanks

Ruchi

Askiitians Faculty

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DINESHKUMAR G

Last Activity: 7 Years ago

containers which have a perforated bottom and a hole at the top are filled with calcium carbide and calcium phosphide.The cointainer thrown into water.Water enter the container and reacts to give C2H2 and PH3. PH3 gets ignited spontaneously and also ignites C2H2 .Thus a Bright red flame is produced accompanies by huge smoke due to burning of PH3

Ca3P2+6H2O.......>2PH3+3Ca(OH)2

CaC2+2H2O........>C2H2+Ca(OH)2

DINESHKUMAR G

Last Activity: 7 Years ago

Actually, packets containing calcium carbide and calcium phosphide are pierced and thrown into water which then react with water to form C2H2 and PH3.

CaC2 + H2O → Ca(OH)2 + C2H2 (1)

Ca3P2 + H2O → Ca(OH)2 + PH3 (2)

P2H4, by product of the reaction of calcium phosphide with water, catches fire immediately and ultimately burns PH3 and C2H2 also.

This acts as a signal for other ships/ aeroplanes that they need some sort of help.

DINESHKUMAR G

Last Activity: 7 Years ago

Containers containing calcium carbide and calcium phosphide are pierced and thrown in the sea when the gases evolved burn and serve as a signal. It is also used in smoke screens.

After making two holes these container are thrown in sea on reacting with water calcium carbide produce scetylene and calcium phosphide produce phosphine,along with phosphine,some amount of P2H4 is also produced,and it catches fire instantly,along with other two gases,luminous flame of acetylene serve as a signal

DINESHKUMAR G

Last Activity: 7 Years ago

Yash Chourasiya

Last Activity: 4 Years ago

Dear Student

The spontaneous combustion of phosphine is technically used in Holme's signals.

Working :Containers containing calciumcarbide and calcium phosphide are pierced and thrown in the sea when the gases evolved burn and serve as a signal . It is also used in smoke screens.
Containers which have a perforated bottom and a hole at the top are filed with calcium phosphide and calcium carbide. These are thrown into the sea. Waterebters the containersthrough the bottom and and reacts to give acetylene and phosphine. Phosphine gets ignited spontaneously as it comes in contact with air and also ignites acetylene. Thus a bright red flame is produced which is accompanied by huge smoke due to the burning of phosphine. This serves as a signal to the approaching ships.

I hope this answer will help you.
Thanks & Regards
Yash Chourasiya