Calcium hydride is a chemical compound composed of the elements calcium and hydrogen. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word "calcium hydride" is /ˈkælsiəm ˈhaɪdraɪd/. This spelling indicates the pronunciation of the two words. The first word, calcium, is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by a voiceless "s" sound. The second word, hydride, is pronounced with a long "i" sound, a voiced "d" sound, and a voiceless "d" sound at the end.
Calcium hydride is a chemical compound with the formula CaH2. It is a white, crystalline solid that is highly reactive and commonly used as a strong reducing agent. The term "calcium hydride" is derived from its composition, which consists of one calcium atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
In its pure form, calcium hydride is produced by the reaction of calcium metal with hydrogen gas. It is highly reactive with moisture and atmospheric air, readily reacting to release hydrogen gas. This property makes it a valuable reducing agent in various industrial processes, such as the production of metals or organic compounds.
Calcium hydride finds applications as a desiccant, capable of absorbing water vapor from the air. Due to its high hydrogen content, it is also used in hydrogen storage systems. It can react with water to produce calcium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, making it useful for generating hydrogen in laboratories or as a precursor for fuel cells.
As a reducing agent, calcium hydride can participate in a wide range of chemical reactions, where it donates electrons to other compounds. It is known for its ability to reduce metal oxides and organic functional groups, allowing the synthesis of various chemical compounds.
Overall, calcium hydride is a versatile compound with various industrial applications, primarily as a reducing agent and in hydrogen-related technologies.
The word "calcium" is derived from the Latin word "calx", meaning "lime" or "limestone". This name was given to the element due to its occurrence in limestone. "Hydride" is derived from the chemical suffix "-ide", which is commonly used to indicate a compound of an element with hydrogen. Thus, "calcium hydride" refers to a compound of calcium with hydrogen, highlighting the presence of both elements in the compound.