Calx or Calcium, was first used in the first century. It was recorded in literature dating back to 975 AD that the substance plaster of paris (calcium sulphate, CaSO4) was useful for setting broken bones. Calcium metal was not isolated until 1808. Sir Humphry Davy was famed discoverer of calcium. Sir Humphry Davy was credited with isolating the impure metal of calcium. He did this by electrolyzing a mixture of and mercuric oxide (HgO). Scientist Berzelius and Pontin were one of the first to experiment with calcium. By electrolyzing lime in mercury, Berzelius and Pontin prepared a substance that is known as calcium amalgam. Their have been many uses of calcium over the years but, calcium has not been avaible in large scale until the 20th century

Calcium being the fifth most abundant element it can be in many forms. Calcium can be found in a wide variety of things. Things like marble, limestone, seashells, and Portland cement. Most of the Earth's calcium is dissolved in the oceans. These forms are very useful in the building industry and calcium is also very useful in the building of stronger bones in our bodies.

Calx is used as a reducing agent for the preparations of metals like thorium, uranium, and zirconium. It is also used as a deoxidizer, desulpuriser or decarbonizer for many ferrous and nonferrous alloy. Copper, lead and magnesium use calcium as an alloying agent. Calcium is a very important ingredient for Portland Cement. Stalagmites and stalactites are formed for calcium in running water building up. It is also the culperate of hard water. Mixed with sand, calcium froms mortar another building agen. Sand and calcium also creates plaster. When plaster and mortar are mixed it's product takes carbon dioxide from the air.

Data on Calcium (Ca)

• Atomic number: 20
• Atomic weight: 40.078

• Melting point: 1115K
• Boiling point: 1757K

• Density of Solid: 1550 kg m-3

Electron Config.

• Ground State: [AR] 4s2

Spelling in:

• Latin Calx
• French Calcium
• German Kalzium
• Italian Calcio
• Spanish Calcio

Created By: Josh Shepard

for Mrs. Mitchell's Chemistry Class

At Cicero North Syracuse High School

Email the author for questions on Calcium

Email: uriahjs@aol.com