Calcium Reaction

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Definition of a Calcium Reaction
A Calcium Reaction involves a process in which Calcium is mixed with another substance which react to form something else. Reactions are manifested by the disappearance of properties characteristic of Calcium and the appearance of new properties in the new substance or Compound.

The substances initially involved in a reaction are called reactants or reagents. The most important of the calcium compounds is calcium carbonate, which is the major constituent of limestone, chalk and marble. Reactions are described with Chemical Formula and Equations.

Calcium Chloride
Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂) is a chemical compound that is generally white, and is very soluble in water. It is extracted by electrolysis from a fused salt like calcium chloride. It rapidly absorbs water and is used to dry gases by passing them through it. It is used to melt ice on roads and as a preservative in foods. It is also used the manufacture of sodium carbonate (washing soda). Carbon dioxide and ammonia are passed into a saturated sodium chloride solution to form soluble ammonium hydrogen carbonate, which reacts with the sodium. Calcium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to give calcium chloride and hydrogen gas.

Calcium + dilute Hydrochloric Acid —> Calcium chloride + Hydrogen

Calcium Hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂or slaked lime or hydrated lime, is a caustic substance produced by heating limestone at high temperature (above 825 °C) and then carefully adding water to it. Ca(OH)₂is a white powder, or colorless crystal, that is slightly soluble alkali. It is prepared by reacting calcium oxide (lime) with water, a process called slaking. When heated above 580°C, Ca(OH)₂dehydrates, forming the oxide. When lime is mixed with sand, it hardens into a mortar and is turned into plaster by carbon dioxide uptake.

Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is probably the common compounds of calcium and is a white crystalline salt. It is heated to form quicklime (CaO), which is then added to water (H₂O). This process forms slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂), which is a form of Chalk, marble and limestone. Calcium carbonate is largely insoluble in water, however, it is quite soluble in water containing dissolved carbon dioxide, combining with it to form a bicarbonate. Such a reaction on limestone results in the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in caves.

Reaction with Oxygen
Calcium oxide is a chemical compound containing calcium and oxygen. Calcium burns quite vigorously in oxygen and strong heating is required to make it burn. It gives a dull red flame to produce a white powder of calcium oxide.

Calcium + Oxygen —> Calcium oxide

Calcium Reaction with Dilute Acids
Examples of Calcium Reaction with Dilute Acids are as follows:

It reacts with dilute nitric acid to give calcium nitrate and hydrogen gas
It reacts with dilute sulphuric acid to give calcium sulfate and hydrogen gas
It reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to give calcium chloride and hydrogen gas

Calcium Water Reaction
Colorless gas bubbles, indicative of hydrogen gas, are produced when calcium is added to water. This process produces a milky suspension as the hydroxide is only slightly soluble in water.

Calcium + Water —> Calcium hydroxide + Hydrogen

Chemical Reactions
Some examples of a chemical reaction include most commonly burning, fermentation, tarnishing and rusting. There are several different types of Chemical reaction which have been detailed below:

Substitution reaction
Double displacement reactions
Acid-base reaction
Combustion reaction
Combination reaction
Decomposition reactions

Refer to our Chemical Reaction article for additional facts and information providing the different types of reactions, examples of reaction and the Rate of a Chemical Reaction.