Why is this element important in everyday life?
Potassium is essential for everyday life because it maintains acid levels and fluid pressures in the body. It also works with the nerves and muscles in the body and helps control the kidneys. If an adequate supply of potassium is not present in the human body, heart problems can occur. Potassium can be found in all foods. The most common food eaten in which Potassium is found, is bananas. It is also used in the production of soft soaps and the Edison Battery.
Where is this element found in nature?
Potassium was first obtained in the ashes of a plant in the form of Potassium Carbonate known as Potash. It is most abundantly found in seawater. There is half a kilogram of Potassium found in each cubic meter of seawater. Potassium can be found in rocks, plants, and in many volcanic rocks where it is recognized as pink or white feldspar crystals in granite. It reacts violently with water due to its high level of reactivity.
What are the properties of the element?
General Characteristics =
Atomic Symbol = K
Period Number = 4
Group Number and Family Name = Group Number 1 and it belongs to the Alkali Metals
Atomic Number = 19
Atomic Mass =39.1
Density = 0.862
Melting Point =63.65
Boiling Point =774
Electron Configuration = 1s22s22p63s23p64s1
Shorthand Notation =K[Ar] 3s23p6
Common Reactions = Water
Interesting Information = We can find Potassium in many of the common things we use and eat everyday.
Who is Potassium ?-
"A Poem For Potassium" Potassium is pink or white, you could find him everywhere, day or night. He could be in plants or rocks, maybe a tree. Would you even think in ocean water of the deepest sea? I can not taste him but I know he's there, he's in my banana pudding or maybe even over there! He's even in my body and he's keeping me alive, maintaining my body fluids, just tell me how does he do it? Potassium, oh Potassium you've been like a friend of mine, and I know you'll keep me going right up until I die.
