Periodic Table of the Elements
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Bottom FACULTY OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY o PERIODIC TABLE OF THE ELEMENTS Bottom
  A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V X Z  
Periodic Table of the Elements Tableau périodique des éléments Periodni sustav elemenata Tavola periodica degli elementi Das Periodensystem der Elemente
Potassium Potassium Kalij Potassio Kalium

 
Atomic number: 19
Group numbers: 1
Period: 4
 
Discovery date: 1807
K

Kalium
NEIGHBOURS
10
Ne
 11
Na
 12
Mg
18
Ar
 19
K
 20
Ca
36
Kr
 37
Rb
 38
Sr


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Potassium was discovered by Sir Humphry Davy (England) in 1807. The origin of the name comes from the Arabic word qali meaning alkali (the origin of the symbol K comes from the Latin word kalium). It is soft, waxy, silver-white metal. Fresh surface has silvery sheen. Quickly forms dull oxide coating on exposure to air. Reacts strongly with water. Reacts with water to give off flammable gas. Reacts violently with oxidants. Occurs only in compounds.
Bottom ALKALI METAL Top

Relative atomic mass: 39.0983(1) Electronic configuration: [Ar] 4s1
Formal oxidation number: +1 Electronegativities: 0.82
Thermal conductivity: 102 W m-1 K-1 Electrical resistivity (20 °C): 6.15 μΩcm
Atomic radius: 227.2 pm Standard state (20 °C): solid
Density (g dm-3): 862 (293 K)
828 (m.p.)		 Molar volume (cm3 mol-1): 45.36 (293 K)
47.22 (m.p.)


Bottom THERMAL PROPERTIES Top

Melting point: 63.38 °C Heat of fusion: 2.4 kJ mol-1
Boiling point: 759 °C Heat of vaporization: 79.1 kJ mol-1
Critical temperature: 1950 °C Heat of atomization: 90.14 kJ mol-1


Bottom IONIZATION ENERGIES AND ABUNDANCE Top

1st ionization energy: 418.81 kJ mol-1 Abundance of element (air): - ppm
2nd ionization energy: 3051.85 kJ mol-1 Abundance of element (Earth's crust): 9100 ppm
3rd ionization energy: 4419.64 kJ mol-1 Abundance of element (oceans): 380 ppm


Bottom ISOTOPES Top

Isotopes Relative atomic mass Abundance (%)
39K38.9637068(3)93.2581(44)
40K39.9639987(3)0.0117(1)
41K40.9618260(3)6.7302(44)


Bottom MINERALS AND USES Top

Potassium is found in minerals like carnallite [(KMgCl3).6H2O] and sylvite (KCL). Pure metal is produced by the reaction of hot potassium chloride and sodium vapours in a special retort. Used as potash in making glass and soap. Also as saltpetre, potassium nitrate (KNO3) to make explosives and to colour fireworks in mauve. Vital to function of nerve and muscle tissues. The price of 90.2 % pure potassium metal is 90.20 € for 5 g.

Bottom REDUCTION POTENTIALS Top

Balanced half-reaction   Eo / V      Annotation
K+ + e- = K(s) - 2.925  

 

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