Potassium Bicarbonate Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Potassium is a chemical element with the symbol P. Its atomic number is 19, and its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹. It is a silvery-white metal. It is the most abundant intracellular cation and thus is essential for a nutrient that is naturally present in many foods. It can be found naturally as minerals and salt. Some common compounds of potassium are Potassium carbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium chloride, Potassium sulfate, Potassium oxide, etc. Hydrogen is a chemical element with the symbol H. Its atomic number is 1. and Its electron configuration is 1s¹. It is the most abundant element on Earth. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It naturally exists in molecular form. Carbon is a chemical compound with the symbol C. Its atomic number is 6, and its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p² . It is one of the fundamental non-metallic elements It is the basic building block of life. Oxygen is a chemical element with the symbol O. Its atomic number is 8, and its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁴. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table. It is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, diatomic gas consisting of 21% of the atmosphere. It plays a critical role in respiration. 

Potassium Bicarbonate Formula 

Potassium Bicarbonate is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula KHCO₃. It is a white crystalline, slightly alkaline, and salty substance. It is made up of a potassium cation (K⁺) and a bicarbonate anion(HNO₃^–).It is an alkaline mineral that’s available in supplement form. Potassium Bicarbonate may treat a potassium deficiency. It is used to prevent and treat low blood potassium. It is also known as Potassium hydrogen carbonate and potassium acid carbonate. It was first developed by Nathan Read, a U.S. stream engineer in Massachusetts, in 1788.

Structure of Potassium bicarbonate

Physical Properties Of Potassium Bicarbonate

• Potassium Bicarbonate molar mass is 100.115 g/mol
• Its density is 2.17 g/cm³
• Its boiling point is 333.6°C
• Its melting point is 292°C

Chemical Properties Of Potassium Bicarbonate

• Potassium Bicarbonate chemical formula is KHCO₃
• It is a white, crystalline, slightly alkaline, and salty substance.
• Decomposition of the Potassium Bicarbonate occurs between 100 and 120°C. This reaction is to yield water, carbon dioxide, and high purity potassium carbonate,  

2 KHCO₃ ⇢ K₂CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

• Potassium Bicarbonate reacts with sulfuric acid to produce potassium sulfate and carbon dioxide,                                        

2 KHCO₃ + H₂SO₄ ⇢ K₂SO₄ + 2 CO₂ + 2 H₂O

Uses Of Potassium Bicarbonate

1. Potassium Bicarbonate is used to prevent and treat low blood potassium. 
2. It is used as an antacid.
3. It is used as an electrolyte replenisher.
4. It is used as a potassium supplement.
5. It can also be used as an excipient in drug formulations.
6. It is a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking.
7. It can substitute for baking soda. 
8. It is an ingredient in low sodium baking powders.
9. It is used as a fire suppression agent.
10. It is used in crops, especially for neutralizing acidic soil.

Sample Questions 

Question 1: What are the sources of potassium bicarbonate?

Answer:

Potassium bicarbonate is a colorless crystalline solid, and it has a salty taste. It occurs naturally in seawater, salt beds, and silicate rocks, and it is found in a number of foods primarily in fruits and vegetables.

Question 2: Which one is better in these two compounds, potassium bicarbonate or potassium citrate?

Answer:

Potassium Bicarbonate decreases urine Ca excretion during long-term therapy. The magnitude of the lowering is greater in those with higher baseline urine Ca excretion. Potassium citrate provides a sustained alkali load compared to the short term actions of potassium bicarbonate

Question 3: What is the difference between potassium and potassium bicarbonate?

Answer:

Potassium Bicarbonate is used to treat or prevent low potassium. Whereas Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals. The human body needs potassium to support key processes. It helps nerves function and muscles contract. It helps to human heartbeat stay regular.

Question 4: Is potassium bicarbonate used as a pesticide?

Answer:

Pesticide products that contain these active ingredients are diluted with water and sprayed on foliage using ground equipment. No adverse health effects are expected when potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate are used as pesticides.

Question 5: Is baking powder potassium bicarbonate?

Answer:

Potassium bicarbonate is a source of carbon dioxide for leavening in baking. It can substitute for baking soda. It is an ingredient in low sodium baking powders. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder on the other hand is made up of a combination of baking soda an acid, and an inert stabilizer.

Question 6: Is potassium bicarbonate a good source of potassium?

Answer:

Potassium Bicarbonate is used to prevent and treat low blood potassium. The Drug and Food Administration limits Potassium Bicarbonate supplements to 100 milligrams per dose. You should not take Potassium Bicarbonate along with other sources of potassium. Taking too much potassium can cause serious heart complications.

Question 7: What are the uses of potassium?

Answer:

Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals. The human body needs potassium to support key processes. It helps nerves function and muscles contract. It helps to human heartbeat stay regular. Potassium is most important to plant growth. It occurs in soaps, detergents, glass production, and gun powder

Question 8: What is the difference between potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate?

Answer:

The main difference between Potassium Bicarbonate and Potassium Carbonate is that the potassium bicarbonate molecule has one hydrogen atom in its chemical structure, whereas the potassium carbonate molecule has no hydrogen atoms in its chemical structure. Both these are potassium salts. These are highly alkaline compounds.