Why is this element important in everyday life?
The greatest demand for potash has been in its use for fertilizers. Potassium is found in soil, is soluble in water, and essential constituent for plant growth. When potassium is combined with salt, it is very important, it is used as a heat-transfer medium. Potassium can also be mixed with animal fat to produce soap.
Where is this element found in nature?
Potassium is never found free in nature due to the way it reacts but, it can be found in nature in compound form with nonmetallic metals. It is obtained by electrolysis of the hydroxide. It is the seventh most abundant metal and makes up 2.4% by weight of the earth's crust. Potassium can be found in the sea, though in small amounts, in rocks and plants. It was first obtained from the ashes of plants as potassium carbonate, known as potash. There is 1\2 kilogram of potassium oxide in each cubic meter of seawater.
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
Potassium is a light, silvery, and shiny metal. It is very soft and can easily be cut with a knife. Potassium has no odor. It is also known as potash. It is included in many foods we eat such as bananas and strawberries and is essential to human health.
Atomic Symbol = K
Period Number = 4
Group Number and Family Name =group 1; alkali metal
Atomic Number = 19
Atomic Mass =39.102
Density =.862 g/cm3
Melting Point =63.65 degrees Celsius
Boiling Point =774 degrees Celsius
Electron Configuration =1s2 2s23s23p6 4s23d5
Shorthand Notation =[Ar]4s1
Common Reactions = Potassium reacts violently with water and almost anything else in nature.
p>Interesting Information = K is essential to human health, we need potassium in our bodies to live. Also how violently it reacts with water. Potassium is also found in many foods that we eat, such as bananas and strawberries.
Who is Potassium (K) ?
Good Evening. Today is Friday May 26, 1999 and this is Entertainment Tonight, reporting live. Tonight's show is going to be a little different, we have a special interview to bring to you. Our very own Ms. Periodictable will be conducting an interview with Mr. Brad Potash, himself! So get your popcorn ladies, cause we have a full hour of Mr. Potash coming to you now!
"Thanks Ellen Element. Hi and I'm Ms. Periodictable and I'm here tonight with Brad Potash. Hi Brad how are you tonight?"
"Hi, I'm great and really glad to be here tonight!"
"That's great, now why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, where you live, but most importantly how you take it, being so popular in the media and having all of the woman chasing after you?"
"Well, I come from a long history of the Alkali metal family I have many brothers and sisters, Hydrogen, Lithiem and Sodium just to name a few. I wasn't always rich and famous, in fact I was actually very poor, I was living near the sea surrounded by lots of ashes of plants. My family was very poor. But in high school I loved to act, I was always in plays and involved in the theater. Then one day, which happened to be the best day of my life, a man named Sir. Humphrey Davey came along and saw my acting skills and talent and was very impressed. The next day he asked me to come and audition for a role in a move. I t was just a one line extra, but I took the offer and look where I am today. I know live in Hollywood, in complex called the S Orbital, my suite number is 19. In my spare time, I love plants, and I love to go out and help them grow by using a lot of fertilizer, I own a glass manufacturing company that I sold to my father. Well, about all the ladies, I love to talk to my fans but they all want me because they want my money and be what they call 'noble' and guys want to be my friend just so they can be 'noble'. You see, they all want to have eight 'electrons'(that's the modern word for money these days) and that's what I could give them!
Another interesting yet weird fact about me is that ever since I have been a baby I have had a reaction with water and any time I drink it I get a violent reaction in my stomach! The doctors have never been able to figure it out. My father was Latin and my original name is Kalium, so when people call me 'K' that's where I got that nickname. I love to wear silver and I love soft clothes! People always say I need to get out in the sun more because I am pale, but that doesn't bother me."
"Well Brad, that's just about all the time we have tonight. I'd like to thank you for coming on Entertainment Tonight. This is Ms. Periodictable saying good night and good bye!"
