The chemical symbol for potassium is “K”.
Physical Properties of Potassium:
Properties |
Details |
Symbol |
K |
Atomic Number |
19 |
Atomic Mass |
39.0983 u |
Phase at Room Temperature |
Solid |
Melting Point |
63.38°C |
Boiling Point |
759°C |
Density |
0.86 g/cm³ |
Color |
Silver-white |
Crystal Structure |
Body-centered cubic (BCC) |
Electrical Conductivity |
Good conductor of electricity |
Chemical Properties of Potassium:
Properties |
Details |
Reactivity |
Highly reactive metal, reacts vigorously with water |
Oxidation States |
+1 |
Flame Color |
Violet |
Reacts with Oxygen |
Burns with a lilac flame, forming potassium oxide (K₂O) |
Reacts with Water |
Reacts violently with water, releasing hydrogen gas |
Reacts with Acids |
Reacts with acids to produce potassium salts and hydrogen gas |
Reacts with Halogens |
Reacts with halogens (e.g., chlorine) to form ionic salts |
Reactivity towards Oxygen |
Tends to lose electrons to form potassium oxide |
Reaction of potassium with Alkali Metal
Alkali Metal |
Reaction with Potassium |
Lithium (Li) |
2K and 2LiCl react and convert into 2KCl and 2Li |
Sodium (Na) |
2K and 2NaCl react and convert into 2KCl and 2Na |
Potassium (K) |
No reaction (self-reaction) |
Rubidium (Rb) |
2K and 2RbCl react and convert into 2KCl and 2Rb |
Cesium (Cs) |
2K and 2CsCl react and convert into 2KCl and 2Cs |
Francium (Fr) |
2K and 2FrCl react and convert into 2KCl and 2Fr |
Reaction of potassium with Transition Metal
Transition Metal |
Reaction with Potassium |
Iron (Fe) |
3K and 2FeCl₂ react and convert into 2KCl and 2KFe |
Copper (Cu) |
2K and CuCl₂ react and convert into 2KCl and Cu |
Silver (Ag) |
2K and AgCl react and convert into 2KCl and Ag |
Nickel (Ni) |
2K and NiCl₂ react and convert into 2KCl and Ni |
Palladium (Pd) |
2K and PdCl₂ react and convert into 2KCl and Pd |
Platinum (Pt) |
2K and PtCl₂ react and convert into 2KCl and Pt |
Gold (Au) |
2K and AuCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and Au |
Titanium (Ti) |
No reaction (under normal conditions) |
Chromium (Cr) |
No reaction (under normal conditions) |
Manganese (Mn) |
No reaction (under normal conditions) |
Cobalt (Co) |
No reaction (under normal conditions) |
Zinc (Zn) |
No reaction (under normal conditions) |
Reaction of potassium with Non-Transition Metal
Non-Transition Metal |
Reaction with Potassium |
Aluminum (Al) |
2K and 2AlCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and 2Al |
Gallium (Ga) |
2K and 2GaCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and 2Ga |
Indium (In) |
2K and 2InCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and 2In |
Tin (Sn) |
2K and SnCl₂ react and convert into 2KCl and Sn |
Thallium (Tl) |
2K and 2TlCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and 2Tl |
Lead (Pb) |
2K and PbCl₂ react and convert into 2KCl and Pb |
Bismuth (Bi) |
2K and 2BiCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and 2Bi |
Antimony (Sb) |
2K and SbCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and Sb |
Selenium (Se) |
2K and Se react and convert into K₂Se |
Tellurium (Te) |
2K and Te react and convert into K₂Te |
Phosphorus (P) |
4K and P₄ react and convert into 4KP |
Sulfur (S) |
2K and S₈ react and convert into K₂S₈ |
Oxygen (O) |
4K and O₂ react and convert into 2K₂O |
Nitrogen (N) |
No reaction (under normal conditions) |
Hydrogen (H) |
2K and 2H₂O react and convert into 2KOH and H₂ |
Reaction of potassium with Non-Metal
Non-Metal |
Reaction with Potassium |
Hydrogen (H) |
2K and 2H₂O react and convert into 2KOH and H₂ |
Carbon (C) |
2K and C₆H₆ react and convert into 2KC₆H₆ (Potassium cyclohexyl) |
Nitrogen (N) |
2K and N₂ react and convert into 2KN |
Oxygen (O) |
4K and O₂ react and convert into 2K₂O |
Fluorine (F) |
2K and F₂ react and convert into 2KF |
Chlorine (Cl) |
2K and Cl₂ react and convert into 2KCl |
Bromine (Br) |
2K and Br₂ react and convert into 2KBr |
Iodine (I) |
2K and I₂ react and convert into 2KI |
Sulfur (S) |
2K and S₈ react and convert into K₂S₈ |
Phosphorus (P) |
4K and P₄ react and convert into 4KP |
Selenium (Se) |
2K and Se react and convert into K₂Se |
Tellurium (Te) |
2K and Te react and convert into K₂Te |
Boron (B) |
2K and B₂H₆ react and convert into 2KBH₆ (Potassium borohydride) |
Silicon (Si) |
2K and SiCl₄ react and convert into 2KCl and Si |
Hydrogen sulfide |
2K and H₂S react and convert into 2KHS (Potassium hydrosulfide) |
Ammonia (NH₃) |
2K and 2NH₃ react and convert into 2KNH₂ and H₂ (Formation of potassium amide and hydrogen) |
Reaction of potassium with Metalloid
Metalloid |
Reaction with Potassium |
Boron (B) |
2K and B₂H₆ react and convert into 2KBH₆ (Potassium borohydride) |
Silicon (Si) |
2K and SiCl₄ react and convert into 2KCl and Si |
Germanium (Ge) |
2K and GeCl₄ react and convert into 2KCl and Ge |
Arsenic (As) |
2K and AsCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and As |
Antimony (Sb) |
2K and SbCl₃ react and convert into 2KCl and Sb |
Tellurium (Te) |
2K and Te react and convert into K₂Te |
Polonium (Po) |
2K and Po react and convert into K₂Po |
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