Potassium is an element on the periodic table that is symbolized by the letter K. The atomic number of this element is 19. At room temperature this element is a solid. Potassium can be found in two forms: either pure or compounds. Pure potassium is described as a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive in water However, Potassium forms many compounds such as Potassium chloride, which is the most common potassium compound (Gagnon, 1). This form of Potassium is especially used in fertilizers as a salt substitute. Another potassium compound is Potassium hydroxide, which is used to make soap, detergents and drain cleaners. Potassium carbonate is used to make some types of glass and soaps. This is also obtained as a byproduct of ammonia. Lastly, Potassium superoxide can create oxygen from water vapor and carbon dioxide. An example of this reaction is “2KO2 + H2O + 2CO2 => 2KHCO3 + O2” (Gagnon, 1). Gagnon also says, “it is used in respiratory equipment and is produced by burning potassium metal in dry air. Potassium nitrate (KNO3), also known as saltpeter or nitre, is used in fertilizers, match heads and pyrotechnics” (Gagnon, 1). Sir Humphrey Davy discovered this element in England in 1807 (Helmenstine, 1). Steve Gagnon, maintainer of the Jefferson Lab website page says, “Sir Humphry Davy first isolated metallic potassium in 1807 through the electrolysis of molten caustic potash (KOH)” (Gagnon, 1). Gagnon also writes, “a few months after discovering potassium, Davy used the same method to isolate sodium. Potassium can be obtained from the minerals sylvite (KCl), carnallite (KCl·MgCl2·6H2O), langbeinite (K2Mg2(SO4)3) and polyhalite (K2Ca2Mg(SO4)4·2H2O). These minerals are often found in ancient...
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...ium at its normal state, room temperature-solid metal. It is almost impossible to imagine that people ingest potassium in forms of pills and foods for health benefits.
Works Cited
Helmenstine, Anne M. "Everything You Need to Know About the Element Potassium." About.com Chemistry. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. (The author of this cite is valid because she has a Ph.D in science).
Gagnon, Steven. "The Element Potassium." It's Elemental -. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. (This source is credible because it is a scientific educational website).
"Potassium: Heart Benefits and Side Effects." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. (This source is credible because it is a medical cite that discusses halth benefits or conditions).
File:Potassium.jpg. N.d. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. (This source is credible because it is a picture of potassium that I found).
The purpose for this lab was to use aluminum from a soda can to form a chemical compound known as hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate. In the lab aluminum waste were dissolved in KOH or potassium sulfide to form a complex alum. The solution was then filtered through gravity filtration to remove any solid material. 25 mLs of sulfuric acid was then added while gently boiling the solution resulting in crystals forming after cooling in an ice bath. The product was then collected and filter through vacuum filtration. Lastly, crystals were collected and weighed on a scale.
The purpose of the Unknown White Compound Lab was to identify the unknown compound by performing several experiments. Conducting a solubility test, flame test, pH paper test, ion test, pH probe test, conductivity probe test, and synthesizing the compound will accurately identified the unknown compound. In order to narrow down the possible compounds, the solubility test was used to determine that the compound was soluble in water. Next, the flame test was used to compare the unknown compound to other known compounds such as potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and calcium carbonate. The flame test concluded that the cation in the unknown compound was potassium. Following, pH paper was used to determine the compound to be neutral and slightly
The % composition by mass of oxygen in Potassium Chlorate was found to be 43.4%.
Potassium is freely filtered in the glomerulus. Two thirds of the potassium is reabsorbed along the proximal tubule. The potassium concentration in the proximal tubule is roughly equal to that of plasma. In the descending limb of Henle a small amount of potassium is secreted into the luminal fluid and is reabsorbed by the ascending limb of Henle. The concentration of potassium is the distal convoluted tubule is now lower than the concentration in the plasma. The connecting tubule and cortical connecting tubule actively secrete potassium into the lumen. Potassium is then reabsorbed in the medullary segment while the excess is excreted in urine.[5&6]
(13) Pazirandeh S. Overview of vitamin K. In: UpToDate, Post TW (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA. (Accessed 27th April 2014)
Here (Figure 1), we can see the crystalline structure of potassium feldspar (KAlSi3O8), which consists of corners that share AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedrons. These tetrahedrons contain either an aluminum or a silicon atom, each connected to four oxygen atoms, and also there are relatively large potassium cations that reside on junctions within the framework.
Calcium and Potassium modifications are specialized individual according to a specific disease, age and inadequate amounts of calcium or potassium higher or lower than normal value.
The periodic table contains many different kinds of elements which are placed accordingly on the table. Potassium is in the alkali metals which is placed in group 1 of the table, alkali metals are among the most active metals. This element was found in 1801 by a man named Humphry Davy. Although the element does not have many uses in pure form as a compound it has many important purposes. Potassium is naturally in the human body if levels become too low or too high then it could cause problems for the individual. Low levels of potassium could cause muscle problems such as cramping and the muscle feeling weak, the person could have a hard time walking or holding onto objects. A serious concern would be the effects on the heart as it causes blood pressure to increase and abnormal heart rhythms.
Manganese is a trace mineral that is vital to life. The human body contains about 15 to 20 milligrams of it. Most of it is found in the bones, with the rest distributed throughout the body in tissues like the pancreas, kidneys, liver, adrenal glands and pituitary glands.
Many fruits and vegetables contain potassium and other nutrients that help bone health. Eating potassium helps the diminution in bone mineral density that occurs with aging, particularly among elderly women. Bananas, plums, carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes include potassium. The good amount of daily potassium is 4,700 milligrams (Medical 2013).
...aks of the sea. According to Harris, the sea is the element that bonds humans and animals together. He explains:
My super name is Potasidon and my real name is Potassium, I was born in 1807. I was created by Humphry Davy, which is my father. I am used for things like fertilizer, soap, and all kinds of other things. You will find me a lot in bananas, orange juice, potatoes, baking powder and many more. I am silver and grey until i aproach air then i become white. I wear a hard metal vest because i am a solid. My weakness his heat if approach really hot heat i will melt so don't put me around a lot of heat keep in room
Potassium is a solid silvery white element. It is soft and can be cut with a knife. Potassium is the least dense known metal, besides lithium. It is the seventh most abundant element. It makes up about 1.5% by weight of the earth's crust. It decomposes in water because of the hydrogen. It usually catches fire during reaction with water.
Potassium is a major macronutrient and required in larger amounts for growth of plants. It is found in the soil as k+. It is required by all parts of plant. It is available as potassium sulphate (K2SO4) in nutrient solution.
It is high in potassium, which regulates the pH levels of the skin and treats allergies.