calcium (Ca)

Term: calcium (Ca)

Literally meaning: “pertaining to lime stone”

Origin:

χάλιξ/khalix(=pebble, gravel)

>(latin) calx(gen calcis) =limestone  (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃).

Coined/History

Calcium was isolated and named by English chemist Sir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) in 1808, through the electrolysis of a mixture of lime (CaO) and mercuric oxide (HgO).

Definition

Calcium is a soft gray silvery  chemical elements with atomic number 20 and atomic mass 40.078. It’ s abumdant in earth although it is not found free in nature.  Calcium is important in cell physiology and essential constituent of teeth, bones, leaves and shells.