Potassium
Complete name of the element: Potassium
How name was derived : From the Latin word kalium
Symbol of the element: K
Atomic number of the element: 19
Atomic mass of the element: 39.0983 amu
Natural state of the element:
Structure of the element: Number of protons/electrons: 19
Number of neutrons: 20
Valences of the element:
Drawing:
Characteristic properties: Potassium is vital for plant growth. Plants use it, for example, to make
proteins, hence the greatest demand for potassium compounds is in fertilizers.
Occurrence: The element is widely distributed in Nature, being the seventh in abundance order.
The ocean water contains about 0,07% of potassium chloride, and it is necessary to evaporate
98% of this to make potassium salts start to crystallize. Potassium can be found in many volcanic
rocks, which by disintegration supply the element to the soils and the water.
Uses: Potash is in high demand as a fertilizer. Potassium, found in most soils, is an element that
is essential for plant growth. An alloy of potassium and sodium is used as a heat transfer
medium. Potassium salts have many commercial uses.
"Potassium." Chemicool Periodic Table. Chemicool.com. 17 Oct. 2012. Web.
2/4/2013 <http://www.chemicool.com/elements/potassium.html>.
http://nautilus.fis.uc.pt/st2.5/scenes-e/elem/e01920.html
www.lookchem.com/Periodic-Table/Potassium/