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The symbol K represents the chemical element named potassium. Potassium is a alkali metal of silvery-white colour. When getting in contact with the air it is oxidized. It is also reactive with water. In nature, potassium can be found as ionic salt  as minerals dissolved in seawater. All living cells need potassium in order to function properly. As we all know cells are part of animals and plants tissue., especially in fruits. From many chemically aspects, sodium and potassium are similar although they function differently in organism. Potassium is not to be found in nature because it has a violent react with water but it can be found as the crust of the Earth. Potassium is reactive and electropositive.

Potassium had been known from Roman times. At first they didn’t know the potassium structure but today we know that it is potassium carbonate. Caustic potash can cause burns.

Sir Humphry Davy was one who first discovered potassium in 1807. He used  electrolysis and voltaic pile . Potassium is a substitute of caustic potash. Davy was also the first to find that sodium and potassium are different.

Some of potassium salts are: langbeinite, carnallite, sylvite and polyhalite. They are deposited in seabeds and lakes. Potash which is the main source of potassium and it is mined in: California, Saskatchewan, Germany, Utah, New Mexico etc.

There are 24 chemical elements of potassium. Minerals are dated by measuring how much radiogenic has accumulated and what is the concentration of potassium. The best mineral to be used as samples are: muscovite, biotite, feldspar and hornblende. Potassium is also a macronutrient.

Another cool fact about potassium is that is isn’t dense. Lithium is the only less dense metal. You can even cut potassium with a knife and see that its colour is silver but in contact with air it soon becomes grey.

If you do a flame test, you will see that potassium’s compounds are violet and have a yellow crown which is made by sodium’s emissions. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry, flame photometry, ion selective electrodes and inductively coupled plasma are the ones that determine potassium’s concentration in solution.

Potassium must be kept under a hydrocarbon medium in order to prevent disintegration of the metal from hydroxide corrosion and oxide.

Potassium produces hydrogen, this is a reaction with water.

2 K(s) + 2 H₂O(l) → H₂(g) + 2 KOH(aq)

Potassium also reacts with dioxide. CO2 from air can be removed with the help of potassium carbonate. It is also very soluble in water. In water, the potassium ion has no colour.



To separate potassium by precipitation, you need to use: hexachloroplatinic acid, sodium tetraphenylborate and sodium cobaltinitrite.

Potassium cations are important for the nerve function and brain. It influences osmotic balance between interstitial fluid and cells. According to concentration, 3 of the 5 types of taste sensations are stimulated by potassium so this makes it detectable. If it is diluted it can taste sweet but if it is concentrated it tastes bitter or salty.

Here are some cool facts about potassium: it prevents muscle contraction. If you don’t have enough potassium in your body fluids, you can be affected by hypokalemia with the following symptoms: paralytic ileus, muscle weakness, weak reflex response and respiratory paralysis.



Potassium has an important role in human nutrition. In the body, fluid and electrolyte balance is maintained by potassium. If you eat the right food you are guaranteed to have sufficient potassium in your organism. If you have a balanced diet you won’t be suffering potassium deficiency. Here are some foods rich in potassium: potatoes, orange juice, avocados, bananas, broccoli, tomatoes, brown rice, soybeans, apricots and garlic.

Studies performed on animals, had shown that hypertension and strokes are reduced by a diet high in potassium.

The classes of diuretics loop diuretics and thiazides clear the body from sodium and water but it can also cause in urine the loss of potassium. You can find on the market a variety of non-medical and medical supplements.



Potassium is used in horticulture, agriculture and hydroponic. It is very important in plant nutrition and animal cells. In the form of potassium chloride is able to stop the heart,  thus can be used in lethal injection or cardiac surgery.

Table salt is made of potassium chloride. Baking powder is made by potassium sodium tartrate name also Rochelle salt. Wine and beer are preserved with potassium bisulfite and can be also use to bleach.

In order to make the photosensitive silver halides , potassium bromide, potassium chloride and potassium bromide are used in photographic emulsion.

Because of the highly reactive nature of potassium , you should handle it carefully, protecting your eyes and skin. It reacts with water and produces hydrogen gas which is flammable, thus it is usually kept under oil. But don’t store it longer than 6 months because peroxides can form under the lid and when you open it , it might detonate. In reaction with waster, potassium produces potassium hydroxide which can cause burns.

Potassium hydroxide is used in industry in the manufacture of salts and also in industrial cleaners. Potassium nitrate used for gunpowder and agricultural fertilizer. Potassium cyanide used for precious metals such as gold and silver. Potassium carbonate is used as a mild desiccant for manufacturing glass and soap. Potassium chromate is used in stains, dyes and inks., also in safety matches, fireworks or explosives. The orange-coloured superoxide is used as a source of oxygen for spacecrafts and submarines.