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General information about Potassium |
| potassium |
| K |
| 19 |
| alkani metals |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| s |
| soft, waxy, silvery-white metal |
| 39.0983(1) g·mol-1 |
| 1s2 2s2p6 3s2p6 4s1 |
| 2, 8, 8, 1 |
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Physical properties of Potassium |
| solid |
| ? |
| 336.53(K),
63.38°C, 146.08°F |
| 1032(K),
759°C, 1398°F |
| 336.35(K), (63°C), kPa |
| 1766(K), 27.2 MPa |
| 2.334 kJ·mol-1 |
| 95.48 kJ·mol-1 |
| 25.363 J·mol-1·K-1 |
| 0.82 (Pauling scale) |
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Atomic structure of Potassium |
| 2.77 Å |
| 45.46 cm³/mol |
| 2.03 Å |
| 2.1 |
| Cubic body centered |
| 133 (+1e) |
| 4s1 |
| 19 |
| 20 |
| 19 |
| 1 |
| 4s1 |
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Electron dot
model |
Other languages |
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| Latin: |
Kalium |
| Czech: |
Draslík |
| Croatian: |
Kalij |
| French: |
Potassium |
| German: |
Kalium - s |
| Italian: |
Potassio |
| Norwegian: |
Kalium |
| Portuguese: |
Potássio |
| Spanish: |
Potasio |
| Swedish: |
Kalium |
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| Element |
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Brief description |
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Potassium's melting point is 63.25°C, boiling point is 760°C, specific gravity is 0.862 (20°C), with a valence of 1. Potassium is one of the most reactive and electropositive of metals. The only metal that is lighter than potassium is lithium. The silvery white metal is soft (easily cut with a knife). The metal must be stored in a mineral oil, such as kerosene, as it oxidizes rapidly in air and catches fire spontaneously when exposed to water. Its decomposition in water evolves hydrogen. Potassium and its salts will color flames violet.
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Uses of Potassium |
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Potash is in high demand as a fertilizer. Potassium, found in most soils, is an element that is essential for plant growth. An alloy of potassium and sodium is used as a heat transfer medium. Potassium salts have many commercial uses.
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Hystory of Potassium |
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- Discoverer: Humphrey Davy
- Discovery Location: England
- Discovery Year: 1807
- Name Origin: English potash pot ashes; Latin kalium, Arabic qali: alkali
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