These calcium deposits build into huge reefs over a long period of time, some of which can be seen from space. Over the course of their lives, coral secretes calcium carbonate and ultimately dies, allowing new coral to grow on top of their calcium carbonate framework. Coral reefs, which are mainly calcium carbonate, are one of the most important calcium deposits. Calcium is also found in the membrane, cell wall, and vacuole of plants. Aside from skeletal activities, the Ca 2+ ion is important in signal transduction pathways, muscle function, neurotransmission, fertilization, and enzymatic activity in mammals and many species. Aquatic animals' shells, eggshells, and snail shells are all made up mostly of calcium carbonate, which dissolves in acid. It turns tougher as a silver-coloured metal once it is refined.Ĭalcium is used in fireworks to add orange colour.Ĭalcium is found in all living and dead organisms since it is necessary for life. Romans made use of lime in their concrete and termed it “Calx.”ĭavy could separate pure calcium in 1808. Humans have known about calcium and its compounds before the Greeks and Romans. Reactivity with water: Reacts with cold water rapidly at first, but the reaction is then slowed due to the formation of a film of Calcium hydroxide - \.Flammability: When heated in air or in oxygen it ignites.Compounds: Compounds include limestone, marble, gypsum, etc.Oxidation: Used as a deoxidizer in steel.These properties determine how calcium behaves when changing from one substance to another or when reacting with other substances. These are only observable during a chemical reaction. Malleability: Capable of being shaped or bent.Ductility: It can be beaten into extremely thin sheets.These are observed without changing the substance into another substance. These are those properties that can be observed using our senses such as colour, lustre, freezing point, boiling point, melting point, density, hardness, and odour. Properties of calcium can be categorized as physical and chemical. It is vital for the maintenance of bones and teeth.Ĭalcium ions on bone surfaces interact with those present in the bodily fluids, therefore enabling ion exchange, which is essential in maintaining the balance of calcium in the blood and bone.Ĭalcium circulating in the blood is involved in several vital processes including coagulation, nerve signal transmission, hormone signaling, and muscle contraction.Ĭalcium may be used as a reducing agent in the process of metal extraction.Ĭalcium is also used in the production of some metals, as an alloying agent.Ĭalcium carbonate is used to make cement and mortar and also in the glass industry. The biological use of calcium is to provide strength and structure to the skeleton. The atomic data of calcium is as follows: The crystal structure of calcium is cubic. So we can see it has 2 electrons in its valence shell, hence its valency is 2. 20 electrons occupy available electron shells (rings). The nuclear composition of an atom of calcium-40 (atomic number: 20), the most common isotope of this element consists of 20 protons and 20 neutrons. The density of calcium is 1.54 gm/cm³.Important isotopes of calcium include 48Ca, 46Ca, 44Ca, 43Ca, 42Ca, and 40Ca.CAS number for calcium is. It has a melting point of 842°c and a boiling point of 1484°c. At 20°c, this element is present in solid-state. The location of calcium elements in the modern periodic table is the 2nd group,4th period, and 's' block. The chemical symbol of calcium is 'Ca'.Its atomic number is 20 and its atomic mass is 40.078 g/mol.
There are various uses of calcium and it is one of the most important chemical elements. In the physiological and biochemical processes of organisms and cells, calcium ions have an important role as electrolytes. Calcium is found to be the most abundant metal and when talking about the human body it is the fifth most abundant element in the human body. Sir Humphry Davy discovered calcium in 1808. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to its heavier homologs strontium and barium. Calcium being an alkaline earth metal, it forms a dark oxide-nitrate layer due to its high reactivity and when exposed to the air. Group 2 elements of the modern periodic table are known as alkaline earth metals (except Beryllium).
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