Potassium

Potassium by Lisa Morton and Shannon Bailey media type="custom" key="7985586" align="center"

toc = **Intro to Potassium** = As an element potassium is an alkali metal found most commonly in crystalline salt compounds. It's physical properties are like most of the alkali metals; potassium is a soft metal. It can be cut with a knife. Its color, when in its element form, is silvery-white. When it comes to heat and electricity, potassium is a great conductor (Hess). Potassium is the "seventh most abundant available metal found on the surface of the earth." (Mukherjee). Potassium's chemical properties are very violent, because it has only one electron in it's outer shell. They are so reactive that they are amalgamated with mercury to make their reactions less violent (Hess). =Chemistry of Potassium= Its symbol is "K", derived from the Latin word "kalium". Its atomic number is 19 and its atomic mass is 39.0983. At room temperature, it's a solid, and its density is 0.86 grams per cubic centimeter. The melting point of potassium is 63.2 degrees Celsius which is 145 degrees Fahrenheit. The boiling point of potassium is 760 degrees Celsius, which is 1420 degrees Fahrenheit. It's electronic structures are 2,8,8,1 (Hess). There are 24 isotopes of potassium, three of which occur naturally.  It's electron configuration is: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1

= **History of Potassium** = Potassium was discovered in 1807, in England, by Sir Humphrey Davy. Its name comes from the English word meaning pot ashes, "potash". Before the discovery of potassium, there was no distinction between it and sodium. This was because there was no distinction between mineral alkali (sodium, from wood ashes) and vegetable alkali (potassium carbonate, from the earth). Soon enough, Davy isolated potassium using the process of electrolysis with dry, molten potash, otherwise known as potassium hydroxide (or KOH). Potassium was the first element isolated using this method, sodium following just after, again by Davy. Before its identification as an element, potassium carbonate was used to make soap by combining it with animal fat. The potassium carbonate, or potash, was made by using water to remove wood ash and subsequently boiling the mixture for a higher concentration.

=Economics of Potassium = Potassium, like most alkali metals, is used in photoelectric cells because "[w]hen it is exposed to light [it has] the ability to emit electrons into an evacuate chamber."(Hess). The compound potassium chloride is the most common, and it can be used as a fertilizer, and an alternative to salt. Potassium hydroxide is still used to make soaps, as well as detergents and other cleaning agents. Pearl ash, or potassium carbonate is useful as well; glass and soaps can be made from it. Potassium superoxide is used in respiratory equipment because it can yield oxygen in dry air. Potassium nitrate is used in fertilizers, match heads and pyrotechnics.

=Environment of Potassium = Potassium is chiefly mined in Germany, New Mexico, California, Utah, and Chile. It is derived from minerals found in ancient ocean or lake beds, such as sylvite, carnallite, langbeinite, and polyhalite. Potassium makes up 2.4% of the earth's crust, and again, is the seventh most abundant element on earth (Helmenstine). It is an essential nutrient for the health and growth of plants, and soil health. For plants, potassium is more specifically used for regulating osmosis and the size of cells. In turn, this affects the whole process of photosynthesis because it plays a role in stoma-opening (like little leaf holes that let in carbon dioxide and other various things), and the movement of other nutrients around the plant. Without enough potassium, a plant won't flourish in terms of flowering, growth, and produce, and with too much can cause other nutrients in soil not to be absorbed.

= **Potassium's Uses in Health** =

= = Potassium is an electrolyte (a substance that conducts electricity) essential to functions of cells, tissues and organs in the human body. It is essential for good heart function and skeleltal/mucle contractions and for digestion and muscle function in general. There are a number of "good sources" of potassium, such as bananas, citrus juices, avocados, tomatoes, lima beans, flounder, salmon and cod. Potassium can also be found in multi-vitamins and other tablets. The average person contains about 140 grams of potassium. If you have a potassium deficiency, it is called hypokalemia, and it can cause digestive tract disorders. Potassium deficiencies are very rare, but even more rare is hyperkalemia, or high levels of potassium. High levels of potassium cause kidney failure or Addison's disease. "[H]yperkalemia includes numbness and tingling, muscle paralysis, heart disturbances, and... heart failure." (Clayman).



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=Fun Facts about Potassium= Pure potassium, because of its reactivity, is usually stored under kerosene or oil, as it will oxidize in air and could ignite if exposed to water. In addition, potassium compounds give off a purple-violet color when burned (Helmenstine).

=**Bibliography and Hyperlinks** =
 * Clayman, Charles B. "Potassium." The American Medical Association Home Medical Encyclopedia. Vol. J-Z. New York: Random House, 1989. 812. Print.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Hess, Fred C., and Arthur Louis. Thomas. Chemistry Made Simple. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1984. Print.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Mukherjee, Bidisha. "Potassium: Uses of Potassium." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. 11 Feb. 2010. Web. 06 Jan. 2011. <[]>.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">Helmenstine, Anne Marie. "10 Potassium Facts." // Chemistry - Periodic Table, Chemistry Projects, and Chemistry Homework Help //. About. Web. 07 Jan. 2011. <http://chemistry.about.com/od/elementfacts/a/10-Potassium-Facts.htm>.