![]() According to the American Heart Association, potassium is responsible for lowering blood pressure, maintaining a balanced water level, muscle contractions, activation of nerve impulses, brain and heart function, reflexes, maintaining the brain-blood supply system, etc. The most vital role of this alkali is in the biological processes of living organisms, especially humans. In contact with air, the elemental potassium oxidizes and tarnishes very quickly. However, when it comes into contact with H2O (water) molecules, this soft metal reacts violently by releasing hydrogen and emitting a purple flame. This alkali element of the periodic table has an electronegativity of 0.8 according to Pauling, whereas the atomic radius according to van der Waals is 0.235 nm.Īs it has a lower density than water, potassium can actually float on it. Potassium is a soft, silvery-white metal that reaches its boiling point at 759☌ (1398☏ or 1032 K), while the melting point is achieved at 63.5☌ (146.3☏ or 336.7 K). Represented by the symbol K, the chemical element potassium has the atomic number 19, an atomic mass of 39.0983 g.mol -1, and electron configuration 4s 1. Occurs only in compounds.įrom less than 10 picoseconds to 1.248×109 yearsĮnglish: pot ash symbol from Latin: kalium, (alkali). Fifth most abundant element in the earth’s crust (41,500 ppm). Vital to function of nerve and muscle tissues.įairly hard, silvery-white metal. ![]() Also as saltpeter, potassium nitrate (KNO3) to make explosives and to color fireworks in mauve. Chemical and Physical Properties of Potassium Property
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |