Potassium is a chemical element in the periodic table. It has the symbol K. This symbol is taken from the Latin word kalium. Potassium's atomic number is 19. It has 19 protons and electrons. Potassium is not found as an element in nature, because it is so reactive.

Potassium has two stable isotopes, with 20 or 22 neutrons. Its atomic mass is 39.098. The unstable isotope with 21 neutrons is one of the most common radioactive materials.

Properties

Physical properties 
Potassium is a soft gray metal. It can be cut easily with a knife. Its melting point is 63 degrees Celsius (145.4 degrees Fahrenheit). It melts at a very low temperature. It is an alkali metal. It is the second lightest metal, after lithium.

Chemical properties 

Potassium reacts in many chemical reactions similar to sodium and other alkali metals. It tarnishes in air to produce a whitish oxidized layer on the surface. This is why it is stored in oil. It also reacts very fast with water, which is another reason for its storage in oil. The hydrogen produced during its reaction with water can burst into flames when a large amount of potassium is added to water. Potassium hydroxide is also produced. Potassium also burns in air easily, to make the peroxide or the superoxide.

Chemical compounds

Potassium compounds are only in one oxidation state: +1. Potassium ions are colorless and similar to sodium ions. Potassium chloride can be used as a substitute for table salt. Potassium hydroxide is used in the electrolyte of alkaline cells. Most potassium compounds are nontoxic. If they are toxic, it is because of the anion. Potassium chromate is colored because of the chromate, not the potassium. Potassium chromate is toxic because of the chromate, not the potassium.
 Chrome alum
 Potash alum
 Potassium arsenate, oxidizing agent, toxic
 Potassium arsenite, colorless solid, toxic
 Potassium bromate, colorless, oxidizing agent, used in flour
 Potassium bromide, colorless, used as sedative
 Potassium carbonate, colorless, reacts with acids
 Potassium chlorate, used in matches and explosives
 Potassium chloride, salt substitute
 Potassium chromate, yellow solid, oxidizing agent, toxic
 Potassium dichromate, red solid, oxidizing agent, toxic
 Potassium fluoride, used to make fluorine, corrosive
 Potassium hydroxide, also known as potash, caustic, strong base, white solid
 Potassium hypomanganate, bright blue hypomanganate, rare
 Potassium iodate, used to supply iodine
 Potassium iodide, used to supply iodine
 Potassium manganate, used to make potassium permanganate
 Potassium nitrate, used in gunpowder
 Potassium perchlorate, used in some rockets
 Potassium periodate
 Potassium permanganate, purple, disinfectant, oxidizing agent
 Potassium sulfide, reacts with water
 Potassium sulfite, used in food preservation
 Potassium sulfate, colorless, used in fertilizers

Name
The word potassium comes from the word "potash". Potash is a mixture of potassium carbonate and potassium hydroxide that has been used for a very long time. In past centuries potash was made from ashes in pots. It is used to make fertilizer, soap, and glass.

Occurrence 
Potassium does not occur in nature because it is too reactive. It is found in minerals, though. It is extracted from them by electrolysis of potassium hydroxide or potassium chloride. The potassium hydroxide or potassium chloride has to be melted at a very high temperature.

Uses 
Potassium metal is used to absorb water from solvents. It is also used in some scientific instruments.

Potassium compounds are used in soap, fertilizer, explosives, and matches.

Nutrition 
Potassium ions are very important to organisms. That is why fertilizers have potassium compounds in them. The ions send messages from cells to other cells. It helps biological membranes depolarize. This means go from a negative to a positive electrical charge. This is needed for muscles to contract (get shorter and move things.) It is needed for the heart to beat (push blood through blood vessels.) If the potassium level in the blood is too high or too low it can cause death because the heart stops. A few good sources of potassium are bananas, apricots and raisins.

Safety 
Potassium metal is very dangerous and can form an explosive coating if it is kept in air. It also reacts violently with water, spewing corrosive liquid. Potassium compounds are not normally dangerous, unless they contain a toxic anion like chromate or chlorate.

Related pages
 Lithium
 Rubidium
 Caesium
 Alkali metal

Other websites 
 Potassium -Citizendium

References

Alkali metals
Chemical elements