Calcium (Ca)
"Meet Captain Cal, the unsung hero powering your body's framework! He builds super-strong bones and teeth, making sure every muscle flexes and every nerve fires with precision."
A memorable persona to anchor Ca in your mind.
1.55
Grams per cm³
842
Celsius (°C)
231
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
The secret ingredient in your morning glass of milk, making your bones rock solid!
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1808
Discovered By
Humphry Davy
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Latin ''calx'' meaning lime."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
40.078 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
1484°C
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 4s2
1st Ionization Energy
6.113 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A soft, silvery-white metal that instantly tarnishes when exposed to air, quickly losing its shine."
Did You Know?
Body's Big Boss: Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your entire body, making up about 1.5% of your total weight, mostly in your bones and teeth!
Beyond Bones: It's not just for skeletal strength! Calcium is absolutely crucial for muscle contraction, nerve signal transmission, and even blood clotting.
Nature's Shy Guy: You'll never find pure calcium hanging out solo in nature because it's super reactive and always bonds with other elements.
Plant Power-Up: Plants need calcium too! It's vital for building strong cell walls and helping them grow big, healthy, and structurally sound.