| Potassium |
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| Atomic Number - | 19 | Melting Point (°C,°F) - | 63.38 °C, 146.08 °F |
| Atomic Symbol - | K | Boiling Point (°C,°F) - | 759 °C, 1398 °F |
| Atomic Mass - | 39.10 | Electron Configuration - | [Ar] 4s1 |
| Group - | 1 | Electrons Per Shell - | 2, 8, 8, 1 |
| Period - | 4 | Protons - | 19 |
| Series - | Alkali Metals | Neutrons - | 20 |
| Block - | d-block | | |
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Element Description - Potassium is a chemical element in the periodic table. It has the symbol K (L. kalium) and atomic number 19. The name "potassium" comes from the word "potash", as potassium was first isolated from potash. Potassium is a soft silvery-white metallic alkali metal that occurs naturally bound to other elements in seawater and many minerals. It oxidizes rapidly in air, is very reactive, especially in water, and resembles sodium chemically. |
Element Characteristics - With a density less than that of water, potassium is the second lightest metal after lithium. It is a soft solid that can easily be cut with a knife and is silvery in color on fresh surfaces. It oxidizes in air rapidly and must be stored in mineral oil or kerosene for preservation.
Similar to other alkali metals, potassium reacts violently with water producing hydrogen. When in water, it may catch fire spontaneously. Its salts emit a violet color when exposed to a flame. |
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