Potassium

Symbol KAtomic number 19
Atomic mass
39.102
Thermal conductivity
1.024
Atomic radius
2.77
Covalent radius
2.03
Density
0.86
Atomic volume
45.46
Melting point
336.8
Oxidation states
1
Boiling point
1047
Stable isotopes
2
Heat of vapor.
79.87
Electronegativity
0.82
Heat of fusion
2.334
First ionization
4.341
Specific heat
0.75
Electrical conduct.
...
Electron configuration

General descriptionNuclear data
Index

Periodic Table

Chemistry concepts
 
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Potassium

Potassium, like the other alkali metals (Group I), is a sivery-white metal of very high chemical reactivity.

Potassium is one of the big 8 elements in the Earth's crust, being the seventh most abundant element at about 2.6% by weight. It is a constituent of many silicates including the orthoclase form of feldspar, one of the most abundant minerals on the earth. A silicate with aluminum, KAlSi3O8, forms the mineral microcline, which can be apple green to brown in color. A sulfate mineral of iron and potassium is jarosite.

Potassium chloride, KCl, forms colorless cubic crystals, resembling those of sodium chloride. Large deposits of potassium chloride are found at Stassfurt, Germany and near Carlsbad, New Mexico. It is also obtained from the Searles Lake in the Mojave Desert of California.

Potassium hydroxide, KOH, is a strongly alkaline substance.

Potassium hydrogen tartrate (KHC4H4O6), called cream of tartar, is a constituent of grape juice. It is used in making baking powder.

The principal use of potassium is as a fertilizer. Plant fluids contain large amounts of potassium ion which has been concentrated from the soil. Potassium sulfate and other salts of potassium are used to replace the soil potassium if it becomes depleted.

Atomic dataNuclear data
Index

Periodic Table

Chemistry concepts

Reference
Pauling
Ch. 26
 
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Potassium Nuclear Data

Z
A
Atomic
Mass (u)
Nuclear
Mass(GeV/c2
Binding
Energy(MeV)
Spin
Natural
Abund.
Half-life
Decay
Q
MeV
19
39
38.963707
36.2850
333.72
3/2
0.93258
stable
...
...
19
40
39.963999
37.2168
341.53
4
0.000117
1.26Gy
b-,b+
1.31,0.48
19
41
40.961825
38.1463
351.62
3/2
0.06702
stable
...
...
19
43
42.960717
40.0083
368.80
3/2
...
22.3h
b-
1.82
Atomic data
Index

Periodic Table

Chemistry concepts

Reference
Rohlf
 
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