• Question: What is calcium?

    Asked by bthomas to Amy, Drew, Julia, Kimberley, Sara on 19 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Amy MacQueen

      Amy MacQueen answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      Hey!

      Calcium is an element in the periodic table (which you get given if you do chemistry!) – it is number 20 in the table. It is a soft grey-white alkaline earth metal burns with a brilliant light. It is the fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust and an important chemical that makes up most plants and animals.

      Our bones and our teeth need a lot of calcium to stay nice and strong – and our hearts need it to make them beat!! 🙂

    • Photo: Drew Rae

      Drew Rae answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      I think Amy pretty much covered this one. Very topical question!

    • Photo: Sara Imari Walker

      Sara Imari Walker answered on 19 Jun 2011:

      Hey bthomas!! Amy’s got a great answer here. Sounds like calcium is really pretty cool!

    • Photo: Julia Griffen

      Julia Griffen answered on 19 Jun 2011:

      Hey! Amy’s got it…

      Chalk is calcium carbonate CaCO3… which is used to make cement, glass and other building materials.

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