Chemistry - Calcium

Salient Features of Calcium

Calcium is one of the most abundant metals by mass found in many animals.
Calcium is a very important constituent of teeth, bone, and shells.
Calcium carbonate and calcium citrate are the major dietary supplements required for a good health.
World Health Organization (WHO) listed calcium as the Essential Medicines.
In comparison to other metals, the calcium ion and most of the other calcium compounds have low toxicity.
If calcium comes in contact with water or acid, it reacts with them and becomes hazardous.
If calcium comes in contact with air, it reacts swiftly and forms a gray-white coating of calcium nitride and calcium oxide.
Most of the calcium salts are normally colorless.
When calcium burnt, the color of its flame appears brick red (see the image given below).

Calcium metal has comparatively a higher electrical resistivity than aluminum or copper.

Calcium occurs usually in sedimentary rocks.
The minerals (sedimentary) in which calcium found are calcite, dolomite, and gypsum.
Calcium also found in igneous and metamorphic rocks mostly in the silicate minerals, such as amphiboles, plagioclases, pyroxenes, and garnets.
Calcium also found in many of the food products namely dairy products, almonds, hazelnuts, soy beans, broccoli, dandelion leaves, figs, and in many more.