Calcium Element Essay Example For Students

Calcium Element Essay Calcium Element symbolCA Atomic weight40.08 Element number20 Number ofprotons20 Number of electrons20 Number of neutrons20 Density at68? FBoiling point2,264?F Melting point1,562?F Calcium was discovered by SirHumphrey Davis in 1808. Calcium is a mineral found in abundance in the Earthsouter crust. It is the fifth most abundant mineral in the Earth crust. Calciumis considered a major mineral because it is found in large quantity in the body. Milk also has a high amount of calcium and it is the best way to get calcium. Daily dietary requirements exceed over 100 mg. Calcium forms and maintainsteeth, it helps with blood clotting, it helps build cell membranes, helpscontract muscles, helps nerve transmissions and if the bones did not get calciumthey would not grow properly. Plants also need calcium to grow because withoutand adequate supply of calcium to enrich the soil they would die. Calcium isnever found as a pure element in nature. It is found as calcium hydroxide,calcium oxide (also know as lime(lime stone)), chalk, Iceland spar, coral,pearls, egg shells and calcium carbonate which makes up marble and gypsum. Limestone and marble are used for buildings and building. Gypsum is found inplaster, when in crystal form it is called alabaster which is used by sculptorsto carve, it is also found in cement.