Calcium Chemical Properties (25 Facts You Should Know)

Calcium chemical properties refer to those factors, which are reliable to describe the element with unique chemical features. Let us see the definition below.

Calcium chemical properties are those that are internally contained by the elements. These elements are identified from the position of calcium in periodic table. Calcium has some ordinary properties with unique value, which distinguishes it from other elements.

Chemical properties like melting point, boiling point, electronegativity, ionisation and others would be discussed for calcium throughout this article.

Calcium symbol

Symbol is the simple notation of the elements, which are used to differentiate elements in a chemical reaction from others. Let us find the symbol of calcium below.

The symbol of calcium is Ca. The first two letters of the full name is easily picked up for using as its symbol, which differently expose the element.

Calcium group in periodic table

Group indicates the columns in periodic table. Each group holds few elements with some similar properties. Let us find the position of Calcium in periodic table.

Calcium belongs to Group 2 of periodic table. The group division of elements are done by counting the number of valence electrons in its atom. As Ca has 2 electrons remained in last shell, it is classified as group 2 element.

Calcium period in periodic table

The rows of periodic table are called periods. Elements have been placed in periods as per the number of last electronic shell. Let us find the periodic position of Ca.

Calcium is placed at period 4 in the table, as its fourth electronic shell is the last electronic shell or valence shell.

Calcium block in periodic table

Blocks are the particular places in periodic table, which denotes the orbital range of element in which they hold vacancy for adopting electrons. Let us find the block of Calcium.

Calcium belongs to s-block. s-orbital is the last orbital where it holds its last two paired electrons.

Calcium atomic number

Atomic number represents the number of individual nucleons such as Proton, Neutron and electron. Let us identify atomic number of Calcium below.

The atomic number of calcium is 20. It means it has 20 protons, 20 electrons and 20 neutrons.

calcium chemical properties
Atomic number of Calcium

Calcium atomic Weight

Atomic weight can be found from the atomic mass by multiplying it with the acceleration of gravity that is 9.8 m/s2. Let us calculate this for calcium.

The atomic mass of Ca is 40.078 u. Therefore its atomic weight is 40.078 u*9.8 m/s2 = 392.7 um/s2.

Calcium Electronegativity according to Pauling

Electronegativity refers to the chemical property, which indicates the ability of element for accepting reduced electrons by others. Let us find the electronegativity of calcium.

According to Pauling scale, electronegativity of calcium is 1, which is very low. Rather it has tendency to give up electrons.

Calcium atomic Density

Atomic density of elements refers to the internal density of the atoms. Let us identify the atomic density of calcium here.

The atomic density of calcium can be discovered as 1.55 Mg/m3.

Calcium melting point

Melting points is that specific temperature at which an element starts melting from solid to liquid state. Let us find out the melting point of calcium.

The melting point of Calcium is 842 °C (1115.15 K).

Calcium boiling point

Boiling point refers to that particular temperature at which an element starts evaporating from liquid sate. Let us identify the boiling point of Ca.

The boiling point of Calcium can be found as 1,484 °C (1757.15 K).

Calcium Van der Waals radius

Van der Waals radius represents the radius of atom, which differs for each element of periodic table. This section will find out the Vander Waals radius (rw) of Calcium.

Van der Waals radius of Calcium has been discovered as 231 pm. It means the radius of hard sphere of one Calcium atom is 231 pm.

Calcium ionic radius

Ionic radius is defined as the radius of two ions of a monoatomic element. Let us identify the ionic radius of Calcium here.

Ionic radius (rion) of Ca2+ is 1.06 Å. After leaving last two electrons from last electronic shell, Calcium creates monoatomic cation.

Calcium isotopes

Isotopes are the different forms of one single atom. These differ from each other by the total number of nuclei. Let us find the isotopes of calcium.

The three isotopes of Calcium are 40Ca, 42Ca, 44ca.

Calcium electronic shell

Electronic shells are those pathways around which hold electrons in an atomic structure. Let us count the number of electronic shells and electrons on it in an atom of Calcium.

Calcium atom has four electronic shells. There are 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in second one, 8 in third one and 2 in the fourth electronic shell.

Calcium energy of first ionisation

First ionisation energy is the amount energy, which is required by the atoms to leave the last valence electron from the electronic shell. Let us find first I.E. energy of Ca.

The first ionisation energy required in one Ca atom is 589.83 Enthalpy / kJ mol-1.

Calcium energy of second ionisation

Second ionisation energy is the specific amount of energy to leave second last electron from shell. Let us find out the second I.E. of Ca.

The second ionisation energy of Ca is 1145.45 Enthalpy / kJ mol-1.

Calcium energy of third ionisation

Third ionisation energy is highest, as the third last electron from shell requires the highest amount of energy. Let us find the third I.E. energy level of Ca.

The third ionisation energy of Calcium is found as the highest, that is 4912.37 Enthalpy / kJ mol-1.

Calcium oxidation states

Oxidation number can be defined as the number of electrons, which can be easily left by periodic elements from its valance shell. The oxidation number of Ca is given below.

The oxidation number of calcium is found as +2.

Calcium electron configurations

Electronic configuration is the representation of electronic arrangement in the orbitals of atoms. Let us find the electronic configuration of Calcium.

The electronic configuration of Calcium can be shortly represented as [Ar] 4s². The full notation of configuration in accordance with Aufbau principle is  [Ar] 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2.

Calcium CAS number

Chemical Abstract Services provide an identification number to each periodic element and provide an overview of the same. The CAS number of calcium is referred below.

The CAS number of calcium for verification of the element is 7440-70-2.

Calcium ChemSpider ID

ChemSpider is a free database, which helps to study on chemical properties of all the periodic elements with a specific ID to identify in ChemSpider. Let us find the ID of Ca.

The ID number given to Calcium by ChemSpider is 4573905. With the help of this number, anyone can search chemical facts of Calcium in ChemSpider database.

Calcium allotropic forms

Allotropes are those forms of an element, which are similar by properties but different as per the structures. Let us count and identify the allotropic forms of Ca here.

Two allotropic forms exist for Calcium. Those two forms are found in different temperatures. One is face‐centered cubic to 464°C and body‐centered cubic from 464°C to the melting point.

Calcium chemical classification

Chemical classification is identified for the element to easily recognise them in any chemical reaction. Let us discuss the chemical classification of Ca.

Calcium is classified differently by its appearance as silvery soft metal. This can be found essential metal used in bone formation in animals as well.

Calcium state at room temperature

Three general state of elements can be noticed at room temperature that are solid, liquid and gas. Let us find in which state Ca is naturally discovered.

Calcium can be found in solid state at room temperature.

Is Calcium paramagnetic?

Paramagnetic elements refer to those periodic elements, which possess free or unpaired electrons. Let us find if Calcium behaves as a paramagnetic element or not. 

Calcium can be called paramagnetic. Though calcium does not have any free electron, it contains a vacant d-orbital much closer to s orbital. 

Conclusion

This article has identified several chemical facts regarding the presence of Calcium in the periodic table. The group and periodic division are done by finding similarities between groups of element. Calcium has been found quite similar as Barium, Magnesium, Sodium and others in-group 2.