Calcium nitrate facts for kids
Calcium nitrate, also called Norwegian saltpeter, is a common chemical compound. Its chemical formula is Ca(NO3)2. This means it is made up of one calcium atom and two nitrate groups. It is often found as a colorless solid.
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What it is like
Calcium nitrate is a solid that doesn't have any color. It is known for being an oxidizing agent, which means it can help other substances burn or react. It also likes to absorb water from the air, making it hygroscopic. If you heat calcium nitrate, it breaks down into nitrogen dioxide gas and calcium oxide.
Forms of Calcium Nitrate
Calcium nitrate can exist in different forms. The most common one is the tetrahydrate, which means it has four water molecules attached to each calcium nitrate molecule. This form melts at a low temperature, around 42.7 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit).
How it is made
Calcium nitrate can be made in a few ways. One way is by mixing calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate with nitric acid. It can also be created when nitric acid reacts with calcium phosphate. Another method involves reacting ammonium nitrate with calcium hydroxide.
What it is used for
Calcium nitrate is mostly used in fertilizers. Farmers use it to add important nitrogen to the soil, which helps plants grow strong and healthy. It can also be combined with another substance called urea to create a different type of nitrogen fertilizer.
Related topics
Images for kids
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Waste water treatment unit
See also
In Spanish: Nitrato de calcio para niños
