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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.
The sodium–potassium pump a critical enzyme for regulating sodium and potassium levels in cells. Potassium is the main intracellular ion for all types of cells, while having a major role in maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance. [1] [2] Potassium is necessary for the function of all living cells and is thus present in all plant and ...
Potassium-40 is especially important in potassium–argon (K–Ar) dating. Argon is a gas that does not ordinarily combine with other elements. So, when a mineral forms – whether from molten rock , or from substances dissolved in water – it will be initially argon-free, even if there is some argon in the liquid.
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]
All other potassium isotopes have half-lives under a day, most under a minute. The least stable is 31 K, a three-proton emitter discovered in 2019; its half-life was measured to be shorter than 10 picoseconds. [5] [6] Stable potassium isotopes have been used for several nutrient cycling studies since potassium is a macronutrient required for ...
Potassium hexacyanidoferrate(II) can be used as a fertilizer for plants. [citation needed] Prior to 1900, before the invention of the Castner process, potassium hexacyanidoferrate(II) was the most important source of alkali metal cyanides. [6] In this historical process, potassium cyanide was produced by decomposing potassium hexacyanidoferrate ...
Potassium oxide is produced from the reaction of oxygen and potassium; this reaction affords potassium peroxide, K 2 O 2. Treatment of the peroxide with potassium produces the oxide: [5] K 2 O 2 + 2 K → 2 K 2 O. Alternatively and more conveniently, K 2 O is synthesized by heating potassium nitrate with metallic potassium: 2 KNO 3 + 10 K → 6 ...
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula K OH, and is commonly called caustic potash. Along with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), KOH is a prototypical strong base . It has many industrial and niche applications, most of which utilize its caustic nature and its reactivity toward acids .