20 Ca 40.078

Calcium

alkaline earth metal

Properties

Atomic number
20
Atomic mass
40.078 u
Category
alkaline earth metal
Group
2
Period
4
Block
s-block
State (room temp)
Solid
Outer-shell electrons
2
Electronegativity
1 (Pauling)
Density
1.55 g/cm³
Melting point
841.85 °C
Boiling point
1483.85 °C

Electron configuration

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s²

Noble-gas shorthand: [Ar] 4s²

Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 8, 2, which is 2 in the outermost shell.

Related: electron configuration, the Bohr model, valence electrons.

Ca
Bohr model; outer-shell electrons in blue

About Calcium

Calcium is a chemical element with symbol Ca and atomic number 20. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust. The ion Ca2+ is also the fifth-most-abundant dissolved ion in seawater by both molarity and mass, after sodium, chloride, magnesium, and sulfate.

Calcium: frequently asked questions

What is Calcium?
Calcium (Ca) is the chemical element with atomic number 20. It is a metal: specifically an alkaline earth metal.
What is the atomic number of Calcium?
Calcium's atomic number is 20, which means every Calcium atom has 20 protons in its nucleus.
What is the electron configuration of Calcium?
The electron configuration of Calcium is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 (noble-gas shorthand: [Ar] 4s2). Its electrons are arranged in shells of 2, 8, 8, 2, with 2 in the outermost shell.
Is Calcium a metal or a nonmetal?
Calcium is a metal: specifically an alkaline earth metal.
What group and period is Calcium in?
Calcium is in group 2 and period 4 of the periodic table.
Is Calcium a solid, liquid, or gas?
At room temperature, Calcium is a solid.

Position in the periodic table

Open the interactive periodic table →

Data compiled from Wikipedia, PubChem, and IUPAC. Source.