Calcium (Ca), like any other atom, does not have a charge until it forms an ion. Atoms form ions based on how they react. When an atom gains electrons, it forms a negative ion. On the other hand, it forms a positive ion when it loses electrons.
Calcium is a metal with 20 electrons and it will readily lose electrons to form cations. The calcium ion has uses across biological, chemical, and medical spheres.
In this article, you will not only learn about the charge of the calcium ion, but you will also learn about its reactions and applications.
About calcium
- Calcium is the last of the first twenty elements of the periodic table
- It has an atomic number of 20 and a mass number of 40
- It has an electronic configuration of 1s22s22p63s23p64s2 with 2, 8, 8 & 2 electrons in its shells
- Calcium is the third most abundant metal and the fifth most abundant element on the Earth’s crust
- Calcium is a dull silver metal with a pale yellow tint
- Calcium is a solid at STP with a density of 1.55 g/cm3
- It has a melting point of 1,548°F (842°C) and a boiling point of 2,703°F (1,484°C). At its melting point, it has a density of 1.378 g/cm3
- Calcium occurs mostly in the form of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is also present in the fossils of early sea life
- Calcium was once gotten from the hydrolysis of calcium chloride. But, recent scientific research shows that pure calcium can be gotten by heating calcium oxide (CaO, lime) with aluminum
- This metal is the most abundant in the human body. In the charged form, Ca2+, it is involved in many physiological and biochemical processes
- Calcium metal in its pure form does not have so many applications because of its high reactivity. Pure calcium is commonly used as an alloy. Paper industries and pharmacies use calcium compounds instead of pure calcium
What is the charge of calcium ions?
The neutral calcium atom loses the two electrons in its valence shell and forms Ca2+. Therefore, the charge on calcium ion is +2.
What is the nuclear charge of Ca2+?
The nuclear charge of Ca2+ is 20, which is the same as the nuclear charge of the neutral calcium atom. The nuclear charge of an atom is the total charge or number of protons in the nucleus of that atom.
What is the Zeff of calcium?
Determining the Zeff of calcium starts with writing out the electronic configuration and assigning electron values according to shell values.
Electronic configuration of Ca: 1s22s22p63s23p64s2
Zeff = Z – S
Z = 20
Electrons in 1s22s22p6 experience a shielding effect of 1
Electrons in 3s23p6 experience a shielding effect of 0.85
And the electron of concern in 4s2 experiences a shielding effect of 0.35
S = (1 x 0.35) + (8 x 0.85) + (10 x 1)
= 0.35 + 6.8 + 10
= 17.15
Zeff = 20 – 17.15
Zeff = 2.85
What is the charge of Ca ion in Ca(OH)2?
You can determine the charge of the Ca ion in Ca(OH)2, calcium hydroxide, by substituting the oxidation state of OH in the chemical formula and equating the overall equation to 0.
Ca + 2(-1) = 0
Ca = +2
What is the charge of Ca ion in calcium oxide?
The charge of the Ca ion in calcium oxide, CaO, is +2.
To determine the charge of Ca in this compound, substitute the oxidation state of O into the formula and equate it to 0.
Ca + (-2) = 0
Ca = +2
What is the charge of Ca in CaCO3?
In CaCO3, the oxidation states of C and O are +4 and -2 respectively. Substitute these values into the chemical formula and equate it to 0.
Ca + 4 + 3(-2) = 0
Ca = +2
Reactions of calcium ion
Precipitation reactions
Calcium ions react with anions like carbonate ion (CO32-) to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3), an insoluble calcium salt.
Ca2+ + CO32- ———> CaCO3
Acid-base reactions
Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), slaked lime, is a strong base that will neutralize hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form calcium chloride (CaCl2) and water (H2O).
Ca(OH)2 + 2HCl ———> CaCl2 + 2H2O
Complexation reactions
Ca2+ forms complexes with ligands (coordinating central metal ions). A common example of a complex Ca2+ form is EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).
Redox reactions
Calcium ions act as reducing agents in redox reactions. They are employed in the extraction of pure aluminum from bauxite. It is used to reduce aluminum ions to pure aluminum metal.
Formation of salts
Calcium ions form calcium salts with various anions like Cl− and SO42-.
Ca2+ + Cl− ———> CaCl2
Ca2+ + SO42- ———> CaSO4
Applications of calcium ion
Biological and medical applications
Calcium ions support the formation and maintenance of strong bones and teeth. Calcium-rich foods and supplements can help prevent osteoporosis and promote healthy bone growth.
Ca2+ ions also play key roles in cellular signaling, regulation of muscle contraction, nerve transmission, enzyme activation, blood clotting, and coagulation cascades
Advanced medicine employs Ca2+ ions in intravenous therapy through calcium chloride solution. It is used to treat hypocalcemia and reduce the effects of harmful toxins. Ca2+ also finds use in intracellular communication, enhancing gene expression and cellular growth.
Industrial applications
Ca2+ ions are used through calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide in the paper and construction industries. CaCO3 is used as a filler and coating for paper to enhance the opacity and printability of paper.
Construction companies use calcium hydroxide to make mortar and pestle, which are used for building. Calcium is also used as a deoxidizer in the production of steel and aluminum.
In agriculture
Compounds that contain Ca2+ ions, such as lime, are useful for soil pH regulation. They also help to improve soil structure and plant growth. In addition, adding calcium-based fertilizers to the soil can help enhance crop development.
Food and beverages industries
Calcium is used to fortify dairy, vegan milk, and cereals to enhance their nutritional value. It also serves as a preservative, stabilizer, and firming agent in many foods.
Environmental applications
Ca(OH)2 is used to precipitate heavy metals and neutralize acidity in wastewater. Other environmental applications are carbon capture and sequestration of CO2 emissions from power plants and industrial processes.
FAQs
Does calcium form ionic or covalent bonds?
Calcium forms ionic bonds with nonmetals because it is a metal and it participates in electron transfer reactions. The nonmetal gives electrons and calcium accepts the electrons.
How can you detect calcium ions?
In the laboratory, calcium ions can be detected using electromagnetic radiation via various techniques, such as fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and flame photometry.
What are the side effects of calcium ions in the body?
Excessive amounts of calcium ions in the body can interfere with the absorption of other minerals in the body. It can also lead to problems like constipation, kidney stones, calcification of blood tissues, cancer, and thyroid problems.
Conclusion
The charge of a calcium ion is +2. This implies that the neutral atom has lost two electrons. When this happens, there are more protons than electrons. That is, Ca2+ has 18 electrons and 20 electrons.
Ca2+ is the most common calcium ion. However, in rare cases, calcium forms Ca2- when it gains two electrons. Beyond science in the laboratory, calcium ions are essential to various physiological processes in the body. They play key roles in cellular signaling, nerve transmission, muscle function, and enzyme activity.
You should also learn about the charge of the Cl ion, another versatile ion.
Thanks for reading.