Calcium is a silvery-white metal with the atomic number 20. It belongs to the alkaline earth metals group in the periodic table. Calcium is essential for living organisms, particularly in the formation of bones and teeth. It also plays a vital role in muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting. Calcium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808 through the electrolysis of lime and mercuric oxide. It is not found freely in nature but occurs in compounds like calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), found in limestone and marble. Calcium compounds are used in cement, glass, and plaster of Paris.