By: Nikita Ravi

Calcium’s atomic number is 20. Calcium is represented by (Ca). The atomic weight is Calcium has 20 neutrons, 20 electrons, and 20 protons. Calcium is an Alkaline Earth metal. The alkaline earths were once thought to be totally harmless and boring because they are always found tightly bounded to the oxygen. The alkaline earth’s consists soft metal and react easily but burns fiercely. All of the alkaline elements are eager to lose their outer electrons.

SymbolAtomic NumberAtomic MassProtonsNeutronsElectrons Ca

Calcium was discovered on Humphry Davy ( ) an English chemist discovered calcium. Calcium was discovered by a mixture of lime (CaO) and mercuric oxide (HgO) sending an electric current and breaking it apart

 Calcium atoms give up their 2 electrons form their last shell as it is not a full shell, so that is why calcium atoms are ions (positive atoms). The positive calcium ions are represented b y Ca2+, meaning 2 electrons are given away. Calcium ions react with anions (negative ions) of other substances in solution.  Pure calcium never occurs in nature. It can be isolated in laboratories but it doesn’t exist for that long because it easily reacts with water or the air to form chemical compounds.  Calcium is a metallic element that almost no one ever sees in its pure form but it is the main ingredient in a stone which is used to make our building and streets.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES  Calcium is a very soft element and is in a silvery color. The surface quickly becomes plain as calcium reacts with oxygen to create a white or gray calcium oxide.  Calcium's melting point is 850°C (1,560°F) and its boiling point is 1,440°C (2,620°F) CHEMICAL PROPERTIES  When calcium is added to water and you wait for a few minutes hydrogen is being released. The bubbles carry the calcium up to the surface and starts bouncing up and down. The reaction with Calcium and water creates calcium hydroxide  When calcium is joined with oxygen it creates calcium oxide which by the way is represented by (Cao) Calcium oxide can burn skin, yet calcium is important to our bones

 Calcium is the 5th most plentiful element in the earth’s crust. More than 3% of the crust is calcium which is mostly in the form of limestone and chalk. It is also the main ingredient to help the teeth and bones in our bodies.  Calcium is not a free element in nature. It is really active and is always found in a compound. The most common calcium compound is calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ). In nature we find calcium in aragonite, calcite, chalk, limestone, marble, and travertine, and in oyster shells and coral.  Shellfish build their shells from dissolved calcium. When shellfishes die their shells sink and get mixed up with other particles underneath the sea. Because of the pressure of the water the shells and the other particles gets squeezed together and forms lime stones. If it is squeezed even more it creates marble or travertine.

 Pure calcium can never be prepared as no scientist has ever seen calcium in its pure form. Calcium is used in the form of limestone, gypsum, or any other minerals that can be found in the earth’s crust  Shellfishes make their own shells from dissolved calcium  Calcium can’t be prepared in pure form

 Food: Calcium is needed for our diets. Calcium compounds are used in varieties of food. Calcium compounds can be found in baked breads. The reason they add calcium in bread is because it prevents from growing mold. Calcium is also added to milk and that is why kids today have to drink lots of milk for making their bones and teeth healthy. Calcium stearoyl lactylate is added to a whipped cream which comes in squirt cans. The calcium compound increases the amount of fluid as it emerges from the can and makes the whipped cream fluffy  Fresco Painting: Fresco means fresh. A thin layer of plastic which is made of lime and water (calcium hydroxide) is coated up the wall. While the plaster is still wet, artists paint a picture on it. As the lime dries and hardens, the picture solidifies making the painting part of the wall

 Carrara marble sculptures: Carrara marbles are used for sculptures. Michelangelo’s sculptors have remained beautiful for hundreds of years.  Getter: It is sometimes used as getter which by the way is a substance that removes unwanted chemicals. Calcium is used as a getter when it comes to creating light bulbs. Calcium is added to the bulb while it is being made. In the final stage, the calcium combines with other gases in the glass. Calcium getter is also used in producing copper and steel.  Calcium is also used to make alloys. The alloy of calcium and cerium is used in flints which are found in lighters.

 Calcium. (2012). Retrieved September 3, 2012, from chemistry explained: C/Calcium.html#b  Basher. (2007). The Periodic Table. In A. Dingle, The Periodic Table (p. 128). Taiwan: Kingfisher.  Blashfield, J. F. (1999). Calcium. In J. F. Blashfield, Sparks of Life Calcium. Wisconsin.  Who Discovered Calcium. (n.d.). Retrieved September 5, 2012, from corrosionist: m.htm 

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