Calcium
Pharmaceutical Materials 2025-03-02
Symbol: Ca
Atomic Number: 20
Atomic Weight: 40.078
Appearance: Silvery white, somewhat soft metal
Melting Point: 839±2°C
Boiling Point: 1484°C
Density: 1.54 g/cm³
Occurrence: Abundant in the Earth’s crust, fifth most abundant element
Uses: Essential for biological processes, used in industry, and as a food additive.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Basic Information | |
| Chemical Symbol | Ca |
| Atomic Number | 20 |
| Element Group | Alkaline Earth Metal |
| Periodic Table Position | Group 2. Period 4 |
| Discovery | Discovered by Humphry Davy in 1808 |
| Natural Occurrence | Found in minerals such as limestone, gypsum, and fluorite |
| Physical Properties | |
| Appearance | Silvery-white metallic luster when freshly cut; grayish-white when exposed to air due to formation of oxide layer |
| Density | 1.55 g/cm³ at 20°C |
| Melting Point | 842°C |
| Boiling Point | 1484°C |
| Electrical Conductivity | Good conductor of electricity when melted |
| Thermal Conductivity | Good thermal conductor |
| Chemical Properties | |
| Valence Electrons | 2 |
| Common Oxidation States | +2 |
| Reactivity | Reacts with oxygen to form calcium oxide; reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas and calcium hydroxide |
| Applications | |
| Industrial Use | Used in the production of cement, steel, and other metals; as a reducing agent in metallurgical processes |
| Medical Use | Used in supplements and antacids to treat calcium deficiencies and stomach acidity |
| Food Industry | Added to foods as a fortificant and preservative |
| Biological Role | |
| Human Health | Essential for bone and tooth formation; involved in muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve transmission |
| Dietary Sources | Found in dairy products, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds |
| Deficiency Symptoms | Rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults |
| Environmental Impact | |
| Abundance | The fifth most abundant element in Earth’s crust |
| Environmental Concerns | Excessive release of calcium-containing compounds into water bodies can lead to hardness and affect aquatic ecosystems |
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