

Natural form: The most stable and abundant form of an element that occurs naturally in the environment.Atomic weight: The average mass of an element's atoms, typically given in atomic mass units (amu).K) at 25 ✬ and 1 at 2.010 Oxidation number 2 Electronic affinity (eV) 0.02 1st Ionization energy (eV) 6.1132 Definition of terms in the previous table.K) at 25✬ and 1 at 0.65 Thermal conductivity (W/cm.Symmary of properties (Ca) Atomic weight 40.078(4) Discoverer (year) Davy, Humphry (1808) Natural form metallic solid (face-centred cubic) Electron configuration 4 s 2 M.p. These spectra are usefull to identify the elements present in a sample. This results in a characteristic emission line in the spectra (which corresponds to specific wavelengths of light).

When an electron in an atom is excited to a higher energy level, it can de-excite by emitting a photon of light with an energy equal to the difference between the two levels. The orbitals are filled in a specific order, starting with the lowest energy orbital and working up.Įach element in the periodic table presents its own unique emission spectra, which is determined by the energy levels of its electrons. In the electron configuration notation, the letters "s", "p", "d", and "f" represent the different types of atomic orbitals, and the superscripts indicate the number of electrons in each orbital. The electron configuration of an element describes the arrangement of electrons in the atoms of that element, and be used to predict its chemical properties and reactivity. Calcium has many important uses as a component of certain medications, and in the production of steel and other metals. Calcium oxide is an important ingredient in cement and aids in the setting process. Plasterboard, which is used to smooth walls, writing chalk. This compound reacts with acid in the stomach.Ĭalcium compounds are also common in building materials. Antacid tablets, used to treat indigestion, contain calcium carbonate. Also, the hard outer layers of many other animals, such as the shells of sea snails, are made of calcium carbonate. This element is very important in our diet, we obtain it mainly in dairy products. Bones in animal skeletons contain calcium phosphate. It occurs in many minerals, such as calcite and aragonite, which are formed from calcium carbonate. It is also the fifth most common element on Earth. It is highly reactive and forms compounds with almost all other elements.Ĭalcium is the most abundant metal in the human body. Calcium is a component of many minerals, including limestone, gypsum, and fluorite. It is a soft, gray, alkaline earth metal that is the fifth most abundant element on Earth. Definition of terms in the previous tableĬalcium is a chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20.
