Potassium is the 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 and is very reactive, especially toward water. In many respects, potassium and sodium are chemically similar.

Notable characteristics

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With a density less than that of water, potassium is the second least dense metal after lithium. It is a soft, low-melting solid that can easily be cut with a knife. Freshly cut potassium is silvery in appearance but it quickly tarnishes. It oxidizes in air rapidly and thus should be protected for storage. Often samples are maintained under an inert medium such as kerosene.

Similar to other alkali metals but more so than Li and Na, potassium reacts violently with water producing hydrogen. The reaction is sufficiently exothermic that the evolved hydrogen gas ignites. Potassium and its compounds emit a violet color in a flame. This fact is the basis of the flame test for the presence of potassium in a sample.

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"dating" with potassium permanganate is not fun at all -_-
poppyyahya (poppy yahya) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:18:50 -0000
"dating" with potassium permanganate is not fun at all -_-
I need potassium. Now!
CharmanderLynch (Charlie Lynch) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:16:35 -0000
I need potassium. Now!
@MissSydneyJ stop them by Drink plenty of fluids Stretch leg muscles B4 goin 2 bed Get enough potassium- eating bananas or drinking OJ.
williestylez (Willie Stylez) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:51:42 -0000
@MissSydneyJ stop them by Drink plenty of fluids Stretch leg muscles B4 goin 2 bed Get enough potassium- eating bananas or drinking OJ.
Sodium: Backup to Potassium complete
rsynclogs (rsync) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:00:02 -0000
Sodium: Backup to Potassium complete
Fact: a good night's sleep at the hospital includes vital signs checks at midnight, 3am & 5:30, blood work at 4am and potassium pill at 6am
rebekahparsons (Rebekah Parsons) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:33:10 -0000
Fact: a good night's sleep at the hospital includes vital signs checks at midnight, 3am & 5:30, blood work at 4am and potassium pill at 6am
Potassium may help maintain healthy blood pressure. Sources: apricots, yogurt smoothie, potatoes, beet greens, white beans, carrot juice
GardenCuizine (Diana Wind) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:16:38 -0000
Potassium may help maintain healthy blood pressure. Sources: apricots, yogurt smoothie, potatoes, beet greens, white beans, carrot juice

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