Potassium Atomic Number



  1. Potassium Mass Number
  2. Potassium Atomic Number And Electron Configuration
  3. Potassium Atomic Number And Mass Number
  4. Potassium Atomic Numbers
  5. Potassium Atomic Number And Atomic Mass
  6. Potassium Atomic Mass

The Element Potassium

[Click for Isotope Data]

Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19. Classified as a n alkali metal, Potassium is a solid at room temperature. Potassium (atomic number 19, symbol K) is a metal and an important element in our diet. It is silvery-white in color, waxy, and soft. Potassium is a very reactive metal and one of the least dense metals in the periodic table. It has a body-centered cubic crystal structure and 1 oxidation state.

Atomic Number: 19

Atomic Weight: 39.0983

Melting Point: 336.53 K (63.38°C or 146.08°F)

Boiling Point: 1032 K (759°C or 1398°F)

Potassium Mass Number

Density: 0.89 grams per cubic centimeter

Phase at Room Temperature: Solid

Element Classification: Metal

Period Number: 4

Group Number: 1

Group Name: Alkali Metal

Potassium Atomic Number And Electron Configuration

What's in a name? From the English word potash. Potassium's chemical symbol comes from the Latin word for alkali, kalium.

Say what? Potassium is pronounced as poh-TASS-ee-em.

Potassium Atomic Number And Mass Number

History and Uses:

Although potassium is the eighth most abundant element on earth and comprises about 2.1% of the earth's crust, it is a very reactive element and is never found free in nature. Metallic potassium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807 through the electrolysis of molten caustic potash (KOH). A few months after discovering potassium, Davy used the same method to isolate sodium. Potassium can be obtained from the minerals sylvite (KCl), carnallite (KCl·MgCl2·6H2O), langbeinite (K2Mg2(SO4)3) and polyhalite (K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4·2H2O). These minerals are often found in ancient lake and sea beds. Caustic potash, another important source of potassium, is primarily mined in Germany, New Mexico, California and Utah.

Pure potassium is a soft, waxy metal that can be easily cut with a knife. It reacts with oxygen to form potassium superoxide (KO2) and with water to form potassium hydroxide (KOH), hydrogen gas and heat. Enough heat is produced to ignite the hydrogen gas. To prevent it from reacting with the oxygen and water in the air, samples of metallic potassium are usually stored submerged in mineral oil.

Potassium forms an alloy with sodium (NaK) that is used as a heat transfer medium in some types of nuclear reactors.

Potassium forms many important compounds. Potassium chloride (KCl) is the most common potassium compound. It is used in fertilizers, as a salt substitute and to produce other chemicals. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is used to make soaps, detergents and drain cleaners. Potassium carbonate (KHCO3), also known as pearl ash, is used to make some types of glass and soaps and is obtained commercially as a byproduct of the production of ammonia. Potassium superoxide (KO2) can create oxygen from water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) through the following reaction: 2KO2 + H2O + 2CO2 => 2KHCO3 + O2. It is used in respiratory equipment and is produced by burning potassium metal in dry air. Potassium nitrate (KNO3), also known as saltpeter or nitre, is used in fertilizers, match heads and pyrotechnics.

Estimated Crustal Abundance: 2.09×104 milligrams per kilogram

Estimated Oceanic Abundance: 3.99×102 milligrams per liter

Number of Stable Isotopes: 2 (View all isotope data)

Number

Ionization Energy: 4.341 eV

Oxidation States: +1

Potassium Atomic Numbers

Potassium Atomic Number

Potassium Atomic Number And Atomic Mass

Electron Shell Configuration:

1s2

2s2 2p6

3s2 3p6

4s1

Potassium Atomic Mass

For questions about this page, please contact Steve Gagnon.