Calcium | Chemistry

Western Canada High School, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Calcium, 20, Western Canada High School, Calgary AB

Calcium: Calcium is important in bone formation, and the skeleton is the body’s calcium storage bank. Calcium is important for healthy teeth; this is why the boy’s skeleton is smiling. The boy is holding a glass of milk, a good source of calcium. The dog’s nervous system is illustrated because calcium plays a key role in neurotransmitter release from neurons. In the background are the Rocky Mountains, located close to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where Western Canada High School is located. The Rocky Mountains consist partly of limestone, a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate crystals.

Artwork by Przemek Podgorny. Teacher: Caitlin Anderson, Western Canada High School, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Atomic properties*

Name:

Calcium

Symbol:

Ca

Atomic number:

20

Atomic mass:

40.08 amu

Melting point:

842°C

Boiling point:

1484°C

Density:

1.54 g/cm³

Electronegativity:

1.00

# of Isotopes:

8

State:

Solid

Colour:

Silvery-white±

Classification:

Metallic±

* Haynes, W. M. (2011). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 91st edition: http://www.hbcponline.com/ Retrieved April 7, 2011

± Winter, M. (2010). Home of the Periodic Table. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from Web Elements: http://www.webelements.com/