Potassium -The metal that explodes when exposed to water

The element potassium explodes with a purple flame when exposed to water.  Normally, water is used to douse fire.  So explosion of potassium when in contact with water is an exception and incredible feat. The element has an atomic number of 19. The atomic symbol is K. It comes from its Latin name Kalium, meaning potash.  

How is potassium stored?

Potassium is a highly reactive metal. It is an element that can rarely be seen in its natural form.  It is also highly sensitive to oxygen in air. Because of the high reactive nature and affinity for oxygen, potassium is normally stored in mineral oil. Even then, people have been familiar using potassium salts such as saltpeter and potash for various purposes for centuries. Softness of the metal is another special character of this element. This metal can be cut into pieces with a small knife. Sodium, thee neighbor of potassium in periodic table also carry some similar features. 

What are the uses of potassium? Why is it essential?

Fertilizer industry utilizes the potential of Potassium. It is a highly important nutrient for organisms. Plants require potassium to maintain life and 90 percentage of overall usage of potassium is for manufacturing of fertilizers. Potassium is needed in cells of all forms of life to maintain fluid balance.  In human body, it is the seventh most abundant element by weight. 

What is the relation between hypokalemia and potassium? 

When level of potassium in blood is low, it leads to a stage called hypokalemia. The mineral is important electrolyte for proper functioning of nerve and muscle cells, especially heart muscles.  Kidney controls the level of potassium in body allowing excess to leave the body through sweat or urine. If diets do not contain sufficient potassium, it can lead to hypokalemia and acute shortage can even be life threatening.  Diarrhea, vomiting and kidney diseases also result in hypokalemia.  Fatigue, irregular heartbeats, constipation , muscle cramp etc are symptoms of shortage of potassium. 

What are the sources and application of potassium?

The mineral needed for life is obtained from various sources like meats, plants and dairy products.  Fruits and vegetables are another two important sources.  Approximately 1.5 percent of the mass of the crust of the Earth is estimated to consist of the metal.  The element in the universe formed from explosions of giant stars. Apart from usage in fertilizer industry, the element is widely used for various purposes like production processes of batteries, dyes, detergents, soap, gunpowder, glass and batteries.

Electrolysis and Potassium

The element has a real reason to be proud of. Potassium was the first elemental metal to be produced through electrolysis. Sir Humphry Davy achieved this feat in 1807. He isolated potassium from potassium hydroxide by applying voltage from the batteries. Electrolysis is a process used in chemistry and manufacturing for separation of elements from naturally occurring resources such as ores.  Electrolysis uses electrolytic cells and direct electric current (DC) to initiate otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction.  The voltage that is required to induce electrolysis is known as the decomposition potential. 
 

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