How To: Create a small explosion with calcium carbide

In order to create an explosion, using Calcium Carbide, you'll need the following: calcium carbide, water, a dropper, and a lighter. Place a small chunk of calcium carbide in a petri dish. Fill the dropper with water. Light the lighter and hold it close to the calcium carbide, while you drop a drop of water onto the calcium carbide. Pull the dropper back immediately. The explosion should be instantaneous. From this chemical reaction the following is formed: calcium hydroxide and acetylene. For a variant on this process, you can crush the calcium carbide to make a fine dust. Scatter the dust around the dish, before adding water and spark.