Addison+Grissett+Potassium

Potassium Potassium is a metal that can found all around us. It has many characteristics, was discovered by Humphrey Davy, and is found in many common places. Potassium is a vital element in our world. Potassium has many characteristics. It is not toxic, however, it is has an extremely reactive nature; therefore, must be handled with much care and caution. Potassium in its elemental form is a silvery white color. It is considered to be a soft metal as it can be cut with an ordinary knife. As soon as it comes in contact with oxygen, it tarnishes quickly. Additionally, it has a very low melting point.When set aflame potassium burns with a lilac color. These are just a few of the many characteristics of Potassium. It was not until the 1800's that a distinction was made between sodium and potassium. In 1807, Sir Humphrey Davy of England was able to isolate potassium. The actual word originates from English and Arabic dialects. "Potash" (English) meaning pot ash and qali (Arabic) meaning Alkali. Potassium's abbreviation "K" has a Latin origin and, more specifically, the word "kalium". Davy isolated Potassium through the electrolysis of very dry molten caustic potash. When he did this, Davy saw that potassium collected at the cathode. Later in the same year, Davy also isolated elemental sodium. This is the history of elemental potassium. Potassium is an extremely common element. Most coaches tell athletes to go eat a banana before a run so that they will not have cramps. The potassium found in bananas prevents cramping. This element is also found in many plant fertilizers, as Potassium makes up 2.1% of earth's crust by weight. Many compounds of this element improve daily living through such things as a healthier alternative to table salt, toughened glass, gunpowder, soft soaps, and alkaline batteries. Potassium is everywhere and not always in ways people would expect. As outlined above, Potassium is a metal that can be found all around us. It has many characteristics, was discovered by Humphrey Davy, and is found in many common places. Potassium is an extremely vital element to the world.

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 Citation: Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Potassium. Sep. 20, 2013 .Mark, Winter. "Potassium Historical Information."Webelements.com. http://www.shef.ac.uk/chemistry/, n.d. Web. 20 Sep 2013. . "Potassium." lookchem.com. N.p.. Web. 20 Sep 2013. <http://www.lookchem.com/Periodic-Table/Potassium/