Question

Give the imnortant properties and uses of calcium.

Short answer

Calcium is a soft, grey alkaline earth metal, which readily reacts with water and oxygen. It's the fifth most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It's essential for the development of healthy teeth and bones, cell signalling, blood clotting, muscle function and nerve transmission. Additionally, it's used in industry to make cement and plaster of Paris.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Properties of Calcium

Identify the properties of calcium. Calcium is a soft, grey alkaline earth metal. It is the fifth most abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust. Chemically, calcium is reactive and combines readily with water and oxygen.

Discuss the Uses of Calcium

Identify the uses of calcium. Calcium is a vital nutrient for the development of healthy teeth and bones. It also plays key roles in cell signalling, blood clotting, muscle function and nerve transmission. Industrially, it's used in the making of cement and plaster of Paris.

Key concepts

Alkaline earth metals

Alkaline earth metals are a group of elements found in the second group of the periodic table. This category includes elements such as beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and radium. These metals share similar properties, including being shiny, reactive, and having two electrons in their outer shell. This outer shell electron configuration contributes to their readiness to donate electrons during chemical reactions, making them highly reactive, particularly with water and oxygen.
Calcium, specifically, is a soft, grey alkaline earth metal known for its abundance and reactivity. It accounts for about 4.1% of the Earth's crust, being the fifth most abundant element. Because calcium reacts easily to form compounds like calcium oxide and calcium chloride, it's not found in its free state naturally.

Calcium in human health

Calcium is essential for human health, playing crucial roles in various bodily functions. One of its most well-known roles is in bone health, where it serves as a primary component of bone and teeth structure, contributing to their strength and rigidity. Without adequate calcium intake, bones can become brittle and weak, leading to conditions such as osteoporosis.
Beyond bones and teeth, calcium is vital in other physiological processes. It assists in muscle contraction by helping muscle fibers contract smoothly. It is equally important in nerve transmission, where it aids in the signaling between neurons. Calcium also plays a significant role in blood clotting mechanisms, ensuring that blood clots form properly in response to injuries.

• Maintaining a diet rich in calcium is important for strong bones and teeth.
• Calcium supplements may be necessary for those unable to get adequate amounts from food alone.

Industrial applications of calcium

Calcium plays a significant role in various industrial applications due to its chemical properties. One of its primary uses is in the production of cement. Calcium compounds such as calcium carbonate and calcium oxide are integral components in the formation of cement, which is a staple in construction materials.
In another application, calcium is used in the manufacture of plaster of Paris, a substance used for casts, moldings, and sculptures. This is achieved by heating calcium sulfate to remove water molecules, producing a fine powder that hardens quickly when mixed with water.
Calcium is also used as a reducing agent in the extraction of metals from their ores. Its reactivity helps in separating metals like uranium and thorium from their respective compounds. In various metallurgical processes, calcium is employed to remove impurities from metal, consequently enhancing the quality of the finished product.