Calcium (Ca)

Calcium is the most abundant metal in the human body, essential for bones, teeth, and muscle function.

Properties of Calcium

Atomic number

20

Category

Alkaline Earth Metal

Atomic mass

40.078 u

Electron configuration

[Ar] 4s²

Melting point

1115 K (841.85 °C)

Boiling point

1757 K (1483.85 °C)

Density

1.55 g/cm³

Electronegativity (Pauling)

1

Appearance

Dull gray, silvery metal

Discovered by

Humphry Davy (1808)

Facts about Calcium

• Your bones and teeth are full of calcium!
• Chalk, limestone, and marble are all made from calcium compounds!
• Calcium makes up about 2% of your entire body weight!
• Milk is famous for calcium, but kale and broccoli have it too!

Calcium videos

• Calcium metal reacting with water, producing hydrogen bubbles and milky white calcium hydroxide clouds

Back to the periodic table · Calcium on Wikipedia