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Calcium (Ca)
Element with atomic number 20, category: Alkaline earth metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 20 of 118
Alkaline earth metal
Calcium
Group 2, Period 4
Common Uses
Bones, cement
Electron Diagram
About Calcium
Calcium is a chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20, meaning every atom has 20 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Alkaline earth metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 40.078 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Calcium sits in group 2, period 4, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Calcium
In daily life and industry, Calcium is used for Bones, cement. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Alkaline earth metal category.
Electron Structure of Calcium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Calcium has 3 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 10 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.