Is calcium a metal, nonmetal, or metalloid?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Calcium is a metal.
Calcium is classified as an alkaline earth metal, located in Group 2 of the periodic table. It has the atomic number 20 and the chemical symbol Ca. As a metal, calcium displays all the typical characteristics of metallic elements: it is shiny in appearance (although it dulls quickly when exposed to air), it conducts electricity and heat, and it is malleable and ductile, meaning it can be shaped without breaking.
One of the defining features of calcium as a metal is its ability to lose electrons easily. In chemical reactions, calcium tends to lose two electrons to form a Ca²⁺ ion, which makes it highly reactive, especially with water and oxygen. For example, when calcium reacts with water, it forms calcium hydroxide and releases hydrogen gas. This reactivity is typical of metals, particularly those in Group 2, and increases down the group. Because calcium is so reactive, it is never found in its pure elemental form in nature. Instead, it occurs in compounds such as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and calcium phosphate, which are essential components of rocks, bones, and shells.
In terms of physical properties, calcium is relatively soft compared to other metals and has a silvery-white color when freshly cut. It plays vital roles in biological systems, especially in humans. It is essential for bone formation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.
Calcium is clearly not a nonmetal, as it does not share the insulating and brittle characteristics typical of nonmetals like sulfur or oxygen. It is also not a metalloid, because metalloids have properties that are intermediate between metals and nonmetals. Calcium’s behavior is purely metallic, which places it firmly in the category of metals.
