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Potassium is a chemical element; it has symbol K (from Neo-Latin kalium) and atomic number 19. It is a silvery white metal that is soft enough to easily cut with a knife. [9] Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to form flaky white potassium peroxide in only seconds of exposure.
Potassium chloride (KCl, or potassium salt) is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. It is odorless and has a white or colorless vitreous crystal appearance. The solid dissolves readily in water, and its solutions have a salt-like taste. Potassium chloride can be obtained from ancient dried lake deposits. [7]
Potassium alum, potash alum, or potassium aluminium sulfate is a chemical compound first mentioned under various Sanskrit names in Ayurvedic medicinal texts such as charak samhita, sushrut samhita, and ashtang hridaya; is chemically defined as the double sulfate of potassium and aluminium, with chemical formula KAl(SO 4) 2.
The physical and chemical properties of the alkali metals can be readily explained by their having an ns 1 valence electron configuration, which results in weak metallic bonding. Hence, all the alkali metals are soft and have low densities, [5] melting [5] and boiling points, [5] as well as heats of sublimation, vaporisation, and dissociation.
Potassium carbonate is mainly used in the production of soap and glass. [3] Commonly, it can be found as the result of leakage of alkaline batteries. [4] Potassium carbonate is a potassium salt of carbonic acid. This salt consists of potassium cations K + and carbonate anions CO 2− 3, and is therefore an alkali metal carbonate.
NaK containing 40% to 90% potassium by mass is liquid at room temperature.The eutectic mixture consists of 77% potassium and 23% sodium by mass (NaK-77), and it is a liquid from −12.6 to 785 °C (9.3 to 1,445.0 °F), and has a density of 0.866 g/cm 3 at 21 °C (70 °F) and 0.855 g/cm 3 at 100 °C (212 °F), making it less dense than water. [3]
Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with a sharp, salty, bitter taste and the chemical formula K N O 3. It is a potassium salt of nitric acid. This salt consists of potassium cations K + and nitrate anions NO − 3, and is therefore an alkali metal nitrate. It occurs in nature as a mineral, niter (or nitre outside the US). [5]
Potassium bromide (K Br) is a salt, widely used as an anticonvulsant and a sedative in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with over-the-counter use extending to 1975 in the US. Its action is due to the bromide ion (sodium bromide is equally effective). Potassium bromide is used as a veterinary drug, in antiepileptic medication for dogs.