![]() Uses: The metal is rarely used, but its compounds are important components of fertilizers, match heads, glass, soaps, and detergents. Potassium and its salts impart a lilac color to flames. It reacts with water to form potassium hydroxide, hydrogen gas, and heat, and the heat usually ignites the hydrogen. Potassium oxidizes very rapidly in air and must be stored under argon or under a suitable mineral oil. Apart from lithium, it is the least dense metal known. It occurs in many minerals mined in Germany, Spain, Canada, the U.S., and Italy.īehavior: One of the most reactive and electropositive metals. Potassium is an essential constituent for plant growth and is found in most soils. Occurrence: The seventh most abundant metal, but it is never found free in nature. History: Isolated in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy. The symbol for potassium comes from the Latinkalium,alkali. He struck up a conversation that included the standard question about why I was on campus and not spending the summer relaxing by a pool somewhere, which is where he'd be if he didn't have to retake a class he'd failed the past semester. Before long, I found myself face to face with him. It was a small school, so there weren't many students around-just science enthusiasts like myself, those taking summer classes, and a handful of others there for random reasons-but I hoped a lot of people would show up.Īs the night got under way, I noticed a not-so-bad-looking guy whom I'd seen around campus. ![]() I was doing chemical research at my college during the summer break and decided to attend a gathering at a friend's apartment. W hat do you think of when you look at element number 19 on the periodic table? As a chemist, I suppose my head should be filled with images of chemically related things involving potassium, such as zeolite structures being charge-balanced by K +, but instead I think of what has to be one of the all-time great pickup lines. C&EN: IT'S ELEMENTAL: THE PERIODIC TABLE - POTASSIUM ![]()
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