Name/Origin:
Calcium- The Latin word calx, which means lime. In addition, calcium
is the fifth most abundant
element in
the earth’s crust.
Symbol: Ca |
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Physical Properties |
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Description: Calcium is obtained from chalk, limestone, and marble. It is a soft metal with a cubic crystalline structure. Calcium has six stable and several radioactive isotopes. A malleable and ductile metal, calcium is silvery-white when pure, but it rapidly tarnishes to yellow on exposure to air. Calcium is fifth in abundance among the elements in the earth's crust, but it is not found uncombined in nature. |
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Crystal Structure: cubic crystalline structure
Color:
silver-white
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Atomic structure:
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Isotopes
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Chemical Properties |
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*Although calcium is the fifth
most abundant
element
in the earth's crust, it is not
found in its pure elemental form. Its compounds are widely distributed in : Iceland Spar, Marble, Limestone, Fluorite,
and Garnet.
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Sources: Calcium is obtained from chalk, limestone, and marble. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Toxicity: When the calcium mineral intake is excessive the effects are: - body may not be able to absorb iron and zinc - Poor kidney function - Kidney Stones
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Uses in Compound Form:
*Calcium compounds are used in the manufacture of iron and
steel, cements and plasters, as well as gypsum wall board.
It is also used prepare calcium
cyanide,
which is used as a fertilizer. In its mineral
form, it is important in the formation of bones and teeth, important for
normal
functioning kidney, assists in normal blood clotting, and lowers
blood pressure. In the human adult the bone calcium is in the form of
phosphate and carbonate
salts.
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History |
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