🔹 Basic Information

• Element Name: Calcium
• Discovered By: Humphry Davy
• Year of Discovery: 1808
• Category: Alkaline Earth Metal
• Group: 2
• State at Room Temperature: Solid 🪨

Calcium is a soft gray metal that plays a vital role in the human body and the Earth’s crust. Though it’s a metal, it’s mostly found in compound form in nature.

🔸 Chemical Properties

• Chemical Symbol: Ca
• Atomic Number: 20
• Atomic Mass: ~40.08 u
• Valency: 2
• Electronic Configuration: [Ar] 4s²

Calcium is highly reactive with water and oxygen, which is why it’s not found in pure form in nature. It easily forms white or chalky compounds like calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).

📘 Basic Things to Know

Calcium is essential for life — especially for strong bones and teeth 🦴. It is the fifth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and is widely used in both living organisms and industry.

In the periodic table, it belongs to the alkaline earth metals, which are known for being shiny, reactive, and forming basic (alkaline) solutions in water.

🤔 Interesting Facts

• About 99% of the calcium in the human body is stored in bones and teeth.
• Calcium glows with a reddish-orange flame when burned 🔥.
• It was isolated by electrolysis — the process of using electricity to break down compounds.
• Calcium compounds like chalk and limestone have been used by humans for thousands of years.
• It helps muscles contract and nerves function properly in the body.

🔧 Common Uses

• Health & Nutrition: Found in dairy products and supplements to keep bones and teeth strong. 🥛
• Construction: Used in cement, plaster, and concrete (from compounds like calcium oxide and calcium carbonate). 🏗️
• Steel Making: Helps remove impurities during the process.
• Agriculture: Used in fertilizers to enrich soil.
• De-icing Roads: Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) is used to melt ice in winter.

📚 Conclusion

Calcium is more than just a part of milk and bones — it’s a versatile, life-sustaining element that also helps build the world around us. From the food we eat to the buildings we live in, calcium plays a hidden but powerful role. For students, understanding calcium is a great step toward exploring how chemistry connects with health, industry, and nature. 🧑‍🔬🌱