Calcium Facts for Kids

Calcium Periodic Table
  • Name: Calicum
  • Symbol: Ca
  • Atomic Number: 20
  • Atomic Weight: 40.078 u
  • Period: 4
  • Group: 2

22 Calcium Facts for Kids

  1. Calcium is a chemical element on the periodic table.
  2. Calcium was isolated and first discovered by Cornish chemist and inventor Humphry Davy in 1808.
  3. Calcium is a solid at room temperature.
  4. The symbol for calcium is Ca.
  5. The atomic number for calcium is 20.
  6. The standard atomic weight of calcium is 40.078 u.
  7. Calcium is in the alkaline earth metal group on the periodic table.
  8. Calcium is a period 4 chemical element, which is the fourth row on the periodic table.
  9. Calcium is a group 2 chemical element, which is the beryllium group.
  10. Calcium has five stable isotopes and they are 40Ca, 42Ca, 43Ca, 44Ca and 46Ca.
  11. The melting point for calcium is 1,548 °F (842 °C).
  12. The boiling point for calcium is 2,703 °F (1,484 °C).
  13. Calcium is the 5th most abundant element in the human body.
  14. Calcium is the 5th most abundant of all the elements found on Earth.
  15. Calcium is the 3rd most abundant metal found on Earth.
  16. Calcium is the 5th most abundant element found in the human body, and it’s mostly in the bones and teeth.
  17. Calcium is important to the human body and considered an essential element.
  18. Calcium helps the development of bones in children and adolescents.
  19. Calcium can help treat certain bone diseases, like osteoporosis.
  20. Dairy products typically are rich in Calcium, like cheese and yogurt.
  21. Calcium intake that exceeds nutritional recommendations can increase the risk of kidney stones.
  22. The largest non-nutritional use of Calcium is in the steelmaking process.

Additional Resources on Calcium

  • Calcium – RSC – Learn more about the chemical element calcium on the Royal Society of Chemistry website.
  • Calcium – JLabs – Find more calcium facts on the Jefferson Science Education website.
  • Calcium – NIH – Discover more about calcium on the National Institute of Health website.
  • Calcium Facts – Read more calcium facts for kids on the Live Science website.