K
Potassium
Atomic number: 19Mass: 39.098 uCategory: Alkali Metal
About Potassium
Potassium is a soft, silvery-white metal that belongs to the alkali metal group. Its symbol K comes from the Latin word 'kalium'. It is essential for human health — our cells use potassium ions to transmit electrical signals in nerves and muscles.
Properties
Period
4
Group
1
Block
S
Category
Alkali Metal
Electronegativity
0.82 (Pauling)
Ionization Energy
418.8 kJ/mol
Melting Point
337 K (64°C)
Boiling Point
1032 K (759°C)
Density
0.862 g/cm³
Oxidation States
+1
Electron Configuration
1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹
[Ar] 4s¹
Shell 1:2e⁻
Shell 2:8e⁻
Shell 3:8e⁻
Shell 4:1e⁻
Real-World Uses
Fertilizers
Soap making
Water softeners
Food additive
Explosives
Fun Fact
A banana contains about 422 mg of potassium. Your body needs potassium so badly that without it, your heart would stop beating!