Calcium
🦴 In Your World
Calcium is the main building block of your bones and teeth, making them strong and healthy. It's the most abundant mineral in the human body. You get it from dairy products like milk and cheese, as well as leafy greens. Beyond biology, calcium compounds are essential for construction, forming the basis of cement, mortar, and plaster.
📖 The Discovery Story
Compounds of calcium like lime have been used by humans for thousands of years, but the pure element was not isolated until 1808. Sir Humphry Davy, the same chemist who isolated sodium and potassium, used electrolysis on a mixture of lime and mercuric oxide to produce pure calcium. The name comes from the Latin word calx, meaning "lime."
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | 842 °C / 1548 °F |
| Boiling Point | 1484 °C / 2703 °F |
| Electron Configuration | [Ar] 4s² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 4.15% (5th most abundant) |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
Pure calcium metal is reactive and will react with water to produce hydrogen gas, though less violently than potassium. Calcium compounds, on the other hand, are generally safe and are essential for nutrition. However, excessive calcium intake can lead to health problems like kidney stones.