Potassium (K)
"Potassium, the Life Spark, keeps your heart beating and muscles flexing with essential electrical charges, but throw it in water and watch out – it's an explosive, fiery showstopper!"
A memorable persona to anchor K in your mind.
0.862
Grams per cm³
63.5
Celsius (°C)
275
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
The essential nutrient found in your favorite banana, keeping your body's electrical system humming smoothly.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1807
Discovered By
Humphry Davy
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the English word ''potash''."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
39.098 u
Standard State
solid
Boiling Point
759°C
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 4s1
1st Ionization Energy
4.341 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"A soft, silvery-white metal that tarnishes from shiny to dull in mere seconds when exposed to air."
Did You Know?
Potassium explodes on contact with water, burning with a beautiful lilac (light purple) flame! It's one of the most reactive elements on Earth.
It's a super soft metal, so soft you can cut it with a butter knife!
Your body can't function without it! Potassium is a critical electrolyte that helps nerve signals fire, muscles contract, and maintains fluid balance.
It's a key ingredient in fertilizers, often called 'potash,' helping plants grow strong roots and improving crop yield worldwide.