Element 20

Calcium (Ca)

Alkaline earth metal · Period 4 · Group 2 · s-block

Calcium (Ca) is element 20 of the periodic table, a alkaline earth metal in period 4, group 2 (s-block) with an atomic mass of 40.078 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number
20
Symbol
Ca
Atomic mass
40.078 u
Category
Alkaline earth metals
Period
4
Group
2
Block
s-block
Phase at STP
solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2
Shorthand configuration
[Ar] 4s2
Electrons per shell
2, 8, 8, 2
Oxidation states
+1, +2

Physical properties

Melting point
1115 K
Boiling point
1757 K
Density
1.54 g/cm3
Phase
solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling)
1
Atomic radius
194 pm
Covalent radius
176 pm
Van der Waals radius
231 pm
First ionization energy
590 kJ/mol
Electron affinity
2 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

IsotopeMassAbundanceStability
Ca-4039.9625996.94%Stable

Common uses

  • Bones and teeth
  • Cement
  • Steel making
  • Cheese making

Discovery

Year
1808
Discovered by
Humphry Davy
Country
England

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