Fun Facts about Potassium

Potassium is a chemical element that is silvery white in appearance. It has the atomic number 19 and its atomic weight is 39.0983. It is placed in the 1st group and 4th period of the periodic table and has the electronic configuration of 1s²2s²2p⁶3s²3p⁶4s¹. As we can see from the electronic configuration of potassium it has a valence electron in the 4s orbital. This imparts potassium an electropositive characteristic just like alkali metals. Electropositive metals or elements are the ones that have a high tendency to lose electron(s) and form ions. Potassium was discovered by the English chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1807. Humphry isolated potassium by the electrolysis of caustic potash (KOH). Potassium is represented chemically by the symbol 'K'.

Interesting Facts about Potassium
Information about potassium have been mentioned below.

• Potassium is a soft solid and can be cut with a knife!
• It does not occur in free state in nature but it is an important part of many chemical compounds.
• Potassium chloride (KCl) is an alternative for people who are advised to decrease the intake of sodium chloride (salts in our diet).
• It reacts violently with water to form a colorless compound of potassium hydroxide solution and hydrogen gas. This reaction accompanies a lot of heat and potassium burns with a purple blue flame. Also, the hydrogen released in the process reacts with oxygen and ignition occurs. That's why, it is stored in hydrocarbons like petrol and kerosene.
• It's density is less than the density of water and it is insoluble in water!
• Its melting point is 63.7⁰C and boiling point is 760⁰C.
• It is the second lightest metal after lithium.
• Around 2.4% of the Earth's crust is made of this metal!
• Potash, a mineral source of commercial potassium is mined in many places like Germany, California, Mexico and Canada, to name a few. It is found in abundance in the Dead sea.

Facts About Applications of Potassium
It has a variety of applications, which are given below

• Potassium nitrate, a compound of potassium is used in fireworks and gunpowder.
• In making detergents and dish wash soaps, potassium hydroxide is used.
• Potassium bromide is used in medicinal products.
• Potassium is used in horticulture and agriculture as a fertilizer.

Health related Facts
It is an important constituent of all plant and elements and is vital for a balanced growth of the body. The element potassium helps in the proper functioning of the cells. A balanced amount of potassium is good for our health. Its extremely low concentration can lead to a condition of hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is a condition in which the person experiences severe muscle cramps, kidney failure and intestinal paralysis. On the contrary, a high level of potassium in the body leads to hyperkalemia. Both these conditions affect the health adversely. If you like bananas, here is a good news for you, banana is one of the fruits that is rich in potassium and is very useful for people looking out for a diet rich in potassium!

Nutritious fruits like nuts, tomatoes, potatoes, soy product and meat are excellent sources of potassium. Foods high in potassium are very beneficial for a healthy body. It is also required for normal fluid balance, protein and nucleic acid synthesis. These were some facts about the element potassium and the importance of sodium for our health. So, next time don't forget to include potassium rich food in your diet.