Facts about Calcium
Posted by Admin / in Science Facts
The main ingredient in chalk is calcium carbonate. Find out more ways that calcium is helpful.
Facts about Calcium
- Calcium is an element on the Periodic Table of Elements
- Even through, it does not look like iron or copper, calcium is actually a metal. Officially, it is considered an alkaline Earth metal.
- Calcium is a Group 2 element in the periodic table, which are all alkaline Earth metals. Other alkaline Earth metals include beryllium, magnesium, strontium, barium and radium.
- Calcium is a Period 4 element, meaning it has 4 electron shells.
- Calcium was first identified as an element by the English Chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1808. Mr. Davy was also responsible for becoming the first scientist to isolate the elements potasium, sodium, barium, strontium and magnesium.
- Calcium has 24 isotopes, which is the most of any element.
- Calcium is well-known because of some of the popular compounds which contain calcium carbonate. There is more calcium carbonate compound contained in the Earth than any other compound.
- Calcium carbonate is found in limestone, dolomite, chalk, marble, coral reefs, sea shells and bones.
- Calcium sulfate is also popular. Calcium sulfate is found in gypsum and alabaster. Gypsum is used to make plaster of Paris and drywall boards.
- By heating limestone, calcium oxide (CoO) is formed. CaO is also known as lime. Lime has been used for thousands of years to make mortar. Mortar is used to hold rocks and bricks together.
- Many caves are formed in limestone. When acidic water passes through cracks in the limestone, it breaks down the calcium carbonate in the rock and washes part of the limestone away over time. This makes voids in the limestone. Stalagmites and stalactites are the result of calcium carbonate dripping through the cave openings and leaving behind columns of solid material over time.
Stalactites and stalagmites are formed over time from calcium carbonate.
Human Body - Calcium Facts
- Calcium is an important element for the human body. Most of the calcium in our body is held in our bones and teeth. There is also a small amount of calcium in our muscles, blood and nerves.
- One important function of calcium is to help blood clot when we get a cut. This is important so we stop bleeding.
- Calcium is stored in bones and used by the body when needed.
- Bones have the ability to heal because of the supply of calcium in them or in other bones throughout the body.
- Calcium is constantly used by the body so the supply of calcium in the bones needs to be replaced.
- Calcium is restored to the bones from the foods we eat.
- Milk, cheese, fish, beans and green vegetables all contain the calcium that our bodies need.
- Some foods like cereal and orange juice are fortified with calcium and other vitamins.
Calcium is stored in bones. Calcium helps people's bones heal when they are broken.
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posted by Admin