30 Facts About Potassium

Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number19.

Potassium is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife with little force.

Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to form flaky white potassium peroxide in only seconds of exposure.

Potassium is chemically very similar to sodium, the previous element in group 1 of the periodic table.

Potassium ions are vital for the functioning of all living cells.

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Potassium reacts with oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide components in air.

Potassium heptafluorotantalate is an intermediate in the purification of tantalum from the otherwise persistent contaminant of niobium.

Potassium is formed in supernovae by nucleosynthesis from lighter atoms.

Potassium is principally created in Type II supernovae via an explosive oxygen-burning process.

Potassium is the 20th most abundant element in the solar system and the 17th most abundant element by weight in the Earth.

Potassium metal was first isolated in 1807 by Humphry Davy, who derived it by electrolysis of molten KOH with the newly discovered voltaic pile.

Potassium was the first metal that was isolated by electrolysis.

Potassium slowly reacts with ammonia to form, but this reaction is accelerated by minute amounts of transition metal salts.

Potassium ions are present in a wide variety of proteins and enzymes.

Potassium is reabsorbed to maintain serum potassium concentration within narrow limits.

Potassium is excreted twice and reabsorbed three times before the urine reaches the collecting tubules.

Potassium can be detected by taste because it triggers three of the five types of taste sensations, according to concentration.

Potassium is quantified by ionization techniques, but at one time it was quantitated by gravimetric analysis.

Potassium ions are an essential component of plant nutrition and are found in most soil types.

Potassium citrate is used to treat a kidney stone condition called renal tubular acidosis.

Potassium sodium tartrate is a main constituent of some varieties of baking powder; it is used in the silvering of mirrors.

Potassium bromate is a strong oxidizer, used to improve dough strength and rise height.

Potassium bisulfite is used as a food preservative, for example in wine and beer-making .

Potassium hydroxide KOH is a strong base, which is used in industry to neutralize strong and weak acids, to control pH and to manufacture potassium salts.

Potassium cyanide is used industrially to dissolve copper and precious metals, in particular silver and gold, by forming complexes.

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Potassium carbonate is used in the manufacture of glass, soap, color TV tubes, fluorescent lamps, textile dyes and pigments.

Potassium permanganate is an oxidizing, bleaching and purification substance and is used for production of saccharin.

Potassium bromide was formerly used as a sedative and in photography.

Potassium reacts with water vapor in the air, it is usually stored under anhydrous mineral oil or kerosene.

Potassium chloride is used in the United States for lethal injection executions.