Lab One

By

Kaela Borders

What is Potassium?

Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Humphry Davy. It is in group 1 of the periodic table, and it represented by the letter K. Potassium has a color that is silvery-white, it is also very soft. It has an atomic weight of 39.0983 AMU, and an atomic number of 19. The number of protons/electrons potassium has is 19, it also has 20 neutrons. Potassium has a melting point of 146.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the chemical behavior of Potassium?

Potassium is a silvery-white metal so soft that it can easily to cut with a knife with little effort. Potassium reacts very quickly with atmospheric oxygen to form potassium peroxide, which is a white flaky substance. This chemical reaction only takes seconds to form. When Potassium is burned in the air it turns an orange color, creating potassium superoxide. Potassium also turns into a colorless solution when mixed water. When mixing with water it created a hydrogen gas as well as potassium hydroxide. This is a common occurrence in nature.

Health effects of Potassium

Potassium is found in a lot of food such as, bread, milk, nuts, potatoes, fruits and vegetables. Potassium plays in important part in the human body, like assisting in the functions of our nerves. Potassium is not just in our bodies, but it also plays in important role in the survival of plants. With Potassium assisting in plant growth it also helps with animal nutrition, when the plants are consumed by animals. A lack of potassium can affect both humans in animals in such a negative way. When potassium is lacking in the body it can cause restricted growth. When it is lacking in plants it can cause reduced flowering, lower yields and lower quality produce.

References URL:

https://www.vedantu.com/chemistry/potassium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium

http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/k.html

https://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/k.htm