How does calcium become a calcium ion? Refer to the periodic table.

Calcium becomes a calcium ion through the process of ionization. Here are the steps:

1. Look at the periodic table: Calcium (Ca) is in the second column of the periodic table, meaning it has two valence electrons. These are the electrons in the outermost energy level of an atom and are involved in chemical reactions.

2. Understand ionization: Ionization is the process by which an atom or a molecule acquires a negative or positive charge by gaining or losing electrons to form ions.

3. Ionization of Calcium: Calcium tends to lose these two valence electrons in order to achieve a stable electron configuration. When it loses these electrons, it becomes positively charged because it now has more protons (20) than electrons (18).

4. Formation of Calcium Ion: The loss of two electrons leaves calcium with a 2+ charge, and it is now referred to as a calcium ion (Ca2+).

So, by losing two electrons and becoming positively charged, a calcium atom becomes a calcium ion.