Extracting Calcium from Bones: A Fascinating Experiment

🦴Bones are a good source of slow-release phosphorus and calcium, making them valuable for composting and garden fertilization.

🔥Heating bones at a high temperature helps remove organic materials, leaving behind mostly calcium phosphate.

🧪Dissolving the calcium phosphate in hydrochloric acid creates calcium chloride, which can be further processed to obtain calcium oxide.

⚡️Using electrolysis with a liquid mercury cathode, the calcium oxide is reduced to obtain pure calcium in its elemental form.

🔬This experiment recreates the process used by Humphry Davy in 1808 to isolate calcium for the first time.

Can you extract other elements using similar methods?

—Yes, you can use similar methods to extract other elements from various sources. The specific process will depend on the element and its chemical properties.

Is it safe to handle calcium in its elemental form?

—Handling pure calcium should be done with caution, as it can react vigorously with water and other substances. It is best to take proper safety precautions and follow established protocols.

What can pure calcium be used for?

—Pure calcium has various applications, including as a reducing agent in the production of metals, as a deoxidizer in steel production, and in the production of certain alloys and compounds.

Why is extracting calcium from bones important?

—Extracting calcium from bones provides valuable insight into the properties and chemistry of this essential element. It also demonstrates the practical applications of chemical processes and showcases the importance of recycling and utilizing resources efficiently.

Are there any risks or hazards involved in this experiment?

—This experiment involves working with high temperatures, acids, and potentially toxic substances. It is crucial to follow proper safety procedures, wear appropriate protective equipment, and conduct the experiment in a well-ventilated area.

00:10Introduction: Bones are a valuable source of nutrients and minerals for composting and fertilization.

01:20Removing organic materials from the bones through high-temperature heating.

02:52Dissolving the calcium phosphate in hydrochloric acid to obtain calcium chloride.

08:19Thermally decomposing calcium oxalate to form calcium oxide.

15:19Using electrolysis with a liquid mercury cathode to reduce calcium oxide and obtain pure calcium.