Potassium
Do you want to hear about potassium?.........K
The Basics
Symbol: K
Atomic Number: 19
Atomic Weight: 39.098
Group 1 Period 4- Alkali Metal
Color: Silvery White
Classification: Metal
Melting Point: 63.38 °C
Boiling Point: 759 °C
Description: Least dense metal, sot and can easily be cut, silvery surface.
History
- Potassium was discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1807 in England. Since its not found in nature, he used electrolysis to create it.
- Until the 18th Century, scientists thought potassium and sodium were the same thing
- Potassium carbonate was used to make soap
Uses
- Makes up 1.5% of the weight of the Earth's crust
- Vital to plant growth; found in most soils
- Potassium is essential to humans: It helps your heat and lungs work and its a vital part of our diet.
Out and About
- Potassium is too reactive to be found alone in nature
- Found in the earths crust
- Found in potash (potassium carbonate)
- Mined in USA, Germany, ect.
- Potassium and Sodium are both found in seawater but potassium is less abundant
Properties
- Very Reactive
- Oxidizes in air very fast
- Decomposes in water
- Catches fire in reaction with water
- Density: 856 kg
Interesting Facts
- Potassium gives a lilac color to flames
- The same method is used to gain potassium today as they used when it was discovered
- Made in a lavatory
- Very abundant in the human body