what happens when you mix calcium with oxygan
Generally, one could expect Calcium Oxide (CaO) to form. In the presence of water, Calcium hydroxide will form.
When you mix calcium with oxygen, a chemical reaction takes place and a compound called calcium oxide (CaO) is formed. This reaction is known as a combustion reaction. Calcium is a highly reactive metal, and oxygen is a highly reactive non-metal. When these two elements combine, they undergo a chemical reaction to achieve a more stable state.
To understand the reaction, you need to refer to the periodic table and determine the valence electrons of calcium and oxygen. Calcium has two valence electrons (2+ charge) while oxygen has six valence electrons (2- charge). Both elements want to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to the nearest noble gas.
During the reaction, calcium loses its two valence electrons to oxygen, resulting in the formation of calcium ions (Ca2+), and oxygen gains two electrons to form oxide ions (O2-). Calcium ions and oxide ions come together to form the compound calcium oxide (CaO). This compound is also known as quicklime or burnt lime.
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between calcium and oxygen is:
2 Ca + O2 → 2 CaO
It is essential to note that in the presence of water, calcium oxide reacts to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This reaction is known as hydration and is commonly found in industries and applications where calcium oxide is used, such as cement production or soil stabilization.
To experimentally observe this reaction, one could take a small piece of calcium metal and expose it to the air. Over time, the calcium will react with oxygen from the air, resulting in the formation of a white powdery substance. This substance is calcium oxide, which is the product of the reaction.