Potassium(K)

Potassium is an alkali metal that belongs to the first group of the periodic table. Its atomic number is 19. Its Latin name is Kalium, and hence its symbol is “K”. Potassium is a key element essential for the maintenance of fitness and the functioning of living structures. Potassium is crucial because it is vital for the proper functioning of cells, nerves, and muscles in human beings and other organisms. In this article, we will learn in detail about potassium, its properties, applications, interesting facts, and more.

Symbol	K
Atomic Number	19
Atomic Mass	39 g/mol
Valency	1

What is Potassium?

Potassium is an element with atomic number 19. Its chemical symbol is K. It is an important metal of the alkali metal family of Group 1 elements in the periodic table. In nature, potassium occurs in many minerals. It is a vital component that takes part in cellular functioning, nerve impulses, and muscle contractions. Unlike other metals, it is soft in nature. It is extremely reactive and, hence, stored under kerosene.

Potassium Symbol

The atomic symbol or formula of potassium element is shown below:

Potassium Element Data

The detailed data of calcium element is presented in the table below:

Potassium Element
Atomic Number	19
Atomic Mass	39 g/mol
Group	1
Period	4
Valency	1
Oxidation State	+1
Nature	Metallic
Family	Alkali Metal
Block	s
Electronic Configuration	[Ar]4s1
Colour	White with silvery lusture
State	Solid
Density	0.89 gcm-3
Isotopes	26 (39K and 41K Most stable)
Melting Point	63.5℃ (336.7K)
Boiling Point	759℃ (1032K)
Electronegativity	0.82(Pauling Scale)

Properties of Potassium

We shall study the properties of Potassium in following two categories:

• Physical Properties of Potassium
• Chemical Properties of Potassium

Physical Properties of Potassium

• State at Room Temperature: Potassium is an alkali steel at ordinary temperature with a relatively gentle and silvery-white move section.
• Melting Point: It has a extraordinarily low melting point this is equal to about 63.38°C (145.08 °F) making it to soften fast at a median heating situations.
• Boiling Point: The boiling point of potassium is set 759 degree Celsius (1,398 diploma Fahrenheit), that is a signal that the substance will shift from a liquid to a gaseous state
• Density: The density of potassium is 0.89g/cm³ which is quite low when compared to other metals
• Malleability and Ductility: Potassium is malleable, this is it can be flattened under strain, and additionally ductile
• Conductivity: It is a superb conductor of power because of its metal characteristic.
• Lustre: Potassium has a metallic appearance because it shines and glows, accounting for its feature manner of showing up.
• Texture: The aspect approximately the steel is that it feels quite soft permitting you to reduce it the use of a knife.

Chemical Properties of Potassium

Potassium, as an alkali steel, displays distinct chemical features that arise from its position in Group 1 of the periodic table.

• Reactivity with Water: Reaction between potassium and water could be very violent, generating hydrogen and potassium hydroxide (KOH) which is a base. This is an exothermic reaction, and the heat is generated.
• Oxidation State: In compounds potassium show +1 oxidation. It loses an electron easily from the outermost shell to be stable.
• Reaction with Oxygen: Potassium reacts with oxygen molecules within the atmospheric air that form an oxide layer on the surface. This oxide layer acts like a shielding for of the metal substrate from further interaction with oxygen.
• Formation of Salts: Potassium reacts with acids to form salts such as potassium chloride (KCl), potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄) and potassium nitrate (KNO₃).
• Flame Test: Potassium salts burn with a purple-lilac coloration, as a consequence making them a beneficial compound for potassium identification through flame exams.
• Complex Formation: Potassium ions can form complexes with ligands in solution which help it to function well as reagent in coordination chemistry.
• Reduction Reactions: Potassium is a excellent reducing agent and it is also an active participant in the redox reactions by using transferring electrons to different substances.
• Solubility: Various potassium salts are highly water soluble, and by means of form of ions they are absorbed through plants.
• Alloy Formation: The atoms of potassium can be introduced into other metals to serve as alloying elements and modify the properties of metals.

Potassium Compounds

Potassium can combine with other elements to form numerous compounds. A comprehensive list of them is tabulated below:

Potassium Compounds	Chemical Formulas
Potassium Chloride	KCl
Potassium Hydroxide	KOH
Potassium Nitrate	KNO3
Potassium Sulfate	K2SO3
Potassium Carbonate	K2CO3
Potassium Bicarbonate	KHCO3
Potassium Permanganate	KMnO4
Potassium Chromate	K2CrO4
Potassium Dichromate	K2Cr2O7
Potassium Acetate	CH3COOK
Potassium Iodide	KI
Potassium Bromide	KBr
Potassium Fluoride	KF
Potassium Phosphate	K₃PO₄
Potassium Citrate	C₆H₅K₃O₇

Uses of Potassium

Potassium is an important chemical element and thus used for numerous applications. Let’s learn the uses of potassium.

Agriculture: Potash is the mineral form of potassium, which is an important nutrient for plants, promoting growth and crop yields. Potassium fertilizers like potassium chloride and potassium sulfate is usually used in agriculture.

Food Industry: Potassium compounds, for example potassium sorbate and potassium benzoate, are used as preservatives in the food industry to increase the shelf-life of some goods.

Medicine: Potassium is a life-saving nutrient essential in human health as it is involved in nerve transmission, muscle contractions, and maintaining the right body fluid composition.

Water Treatment: Potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) is used in water treatment to remove unwanted compounds and kill odors. It is an oxidizing agent.

Alloys: Potassium can sometimes be combined with other metals, which serve as hardening agents.

Chemical Industry: Wide range of other chemical products are made using potassium element. For example, potassium hydroxide (KOH) is used in the production of soaps and detergents where it acts as an alkali.

Metallurgical Processes: K-compounds are used in several metallurgical processes, for example in the production of Al.

Photography: The potassium salts like potassium bromide have previously been employed as one of the constituents of photo developers in the technologies of photography.

Laboratory Reagent: The potassium salts are the most common reagents in the manual experiments and chemical analysis.

Facts About Potassium

• Reactivity with Water: Reaction among potassium and water may be very violent, generating hydrogen and potassium hydroxide (KOH)
• Abundant Element: Potassium is the 7th maximum element found in earth’s crust. It accommodates approximately 2.6% of the earth’s mass.
• Biological Significance: With help of potassium, body cell function properly. It is essential in acting as a neurotransmitter, providing muscle contraction, and maintaining body fluid levels.
• Symbol and Atomic Number: Atomic symbol of potassium is “K”. It has been taken from Latin phrase “kalium”. Its atomic number is 19.
• Colour in Flame Tests: Potassium gives lilac(pink) colour when burnt in flame
• Isotopes: Potassium has 26 isotopes out of which most stable isotopes are ³⁹K and ⁴¹K
• Electrolyte Balance: Apart of sodium, potassium is responsible for the balance of electrolytes in the body, hence its function on the activity of nerves and muscle contractions.
• Storage: Potassium is extremely reactive in nature, hence it is stored in kerosene.
• Hardness: Potassium is a soft metal and has silvery lustre

Potassium Frequently Asked Questions

What is atomic number of potassium?

The atomic number of potassium is 19

Is Potassium a metal?

Yes, potassium is a metal that belong to 1st group of periodic table

What is valency of Potassium?

The valency of potassium is +1

How is potassium stored?

Potassium is stored in kerosene as it is extremely reactive in nature

What is electronic configuration of potassium?

The electronic configuration of calcium is 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹

What is flame test for potassium?

Potassium ions emit lilac colour when exposed to flame.

Is Potassium hard or soft?

Potassium is a soft metal