Potassium
Full Name: Potassium
Details:
First isolated in 1806 by Sir Humphry [isolated by] Davy*, potassium is a chemical element with the atomic number 19 and an atomic weight of 19.102. It is an alkali earth metal also known as “Kalium,” from which it takes its symbol (K). Potassium bonds with many other chemicals to form compounds, which can be either organic or inorganic.
[ “Organic” means that the compound is based on carbon chains or rings (meaning it is plant- or animal-based). “Inorganic” means compounds such as minerals, salts and metals that usually do not contain carbon as their base.]
Potassium is used, in various forms, for the production of fertilizers, liquid soaps, glass manufacturing, gunpowder and health products. It is also necessary for maintaining the cell pressure in organisms and is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses.
Oneliner: Potassium
Bibliography:
- “Alkaline-earth Metals.” McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 9th ed. V. 1. San Francisco: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
- “Davy, Sir Humphry.” Grolier Library of Science Biographies. Danbury, Coon: Grolier, 1996. 29-30.
- Gagnon, Steve. “Potassium.” Jefferson Labs. 1 Dec 2003. http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele019.html
- Parker, Sybil P., ed. “Potassium.” McGraw Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms. 4th ed. San Francisco, Calif.: McGraw-Hill, 1989.
- “Potassium.” McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, 9th ed. V. 14. San Francisco: McGraw-Hill, 2002.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
- Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Potassium. 1 Dec. 2003. 1 Dec 2003. [http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/k.html].
- “Potassium.” Scescape.net. 2002-2003.1 Dec 2003. http://www.scescape.net/~woods/elements/potassium~.html