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calcium sulfide

C1/C2
UK/ˈkælsiəm ˈsʌlfaɪd/US/ˈkælsiəm ˈsʌlˌfaɪd/

Technical, Scientific, Industrial

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Definition

Meaning

An inorganic chemical compound with the formula CaS, consisting of calcium and sulfur.

A white solid material (though often colored by impurities), used industrially in pigments, in luminescent materials, and in some leather processing applications.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily refers to the chemical substance. The term is not used metaphorically.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in usage or meaning between UK and US English. The spelling is identical.

Connotations

None beyond its technical/chemical reference.

Frequency

Used with identical frequency in technical/scientific contexts in both varieties. Virtually absent from general discourse.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
calcium sulfide productioncalcium sulfide compoundimpure calcium sulfidecalcium sulfide reacts
medium
formula of calcium sulfidesynthesis of calcium sulfidecalcium sulfide powdercalcium sulfide luminescence
weak
contains calcium sulfidebased on calcium sulfidetreated with calcium sulfide

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[calcium sulfide] is used as [noun phrase][calcium sulfide] reacts with [noun phrase]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

calcium(II) sulfidehepar calcis (archaic/impure form)

Neutral

CaScalcium sulphide

Weak

luminous material (in specific contexts)sulfide compound

Vocabulary

Antonyms

calcium sulfatecalcium oxide

Usage

Context Usage

Business

May appear in industrial supply catalogs or material safety data sheets.

Academic

Common in chemistry, materials science, and chemical engineering textbooks and research papers.

Everyday

Extremely rare. Would only be used by someone with specific technical knowledge.

Technical

The primary context. Used in specifications, lab reports, process descriptions, and safety documentation.

Examples

By Part of Speech

adjective

British English

  • The calcium sulphide impurity was minimal.
  • A calcium-sulphide-based phosphor.

American English

  • The calcium sulfide impurity was minimal.
  • A calcium-sulfide-based phosphor.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B1
  • Calcium sulfide is a chemical.
B2
  • The factory produces calcium sulfide for industrial use.
  • Calcium sulfide can emit light under certain conditions.
C1
  • The photoluminescent properties of doped calcium sulfide make it suitable for certain display technologies.
  • In the lab, we synthesised pure calcium sulfide by reacting calcium carbonate with hydrogen sulfide gas.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'Calcium' from chalk/bones + 'Sulfide' from rotten egg smell (hydrogen sulfide). A compound of a hard mineral and a smelly gas.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Прямой перевод "сульфид кальция" является точным и безопасен. Не путать с "сульфатом кальция" (calcium sulfate/гипс).

Common Mistakes

  • Misspelling as 'calcium sulfite' (CaSO₃) or 'calcium sulfate' (CaSO₄).
  • Incorrect pluralisation ('calcium sulfides' is rarely used).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The chemist identified the white powder as after conducting a series of tests.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary chemical formula for calcium sulfide?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It can be irritating to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, and reacts with acids to produce toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. Always consult its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS).

Historically in luminous paints, in the leather industry for depilation, as a phosphor in some electronics, and in certain pigment preparations.

A sulfide (S²⁻) contains sulfur in a lower oxidation state and is often associated with minerals and foul smells. A sulfate (SO₄²⁻) contains sulfur bonded to four oxygen atoms and is found in gypsum (calcium sulfate) and many salts.

In British English: /ˈsʌlfaɪd/. In American English: /ˈsʌlˌfaɪd/. The first syllable rhymes with 'dull'.