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Atomic Profile

Potassium (K)

Discover properties, shell configurations, industrial applications, compounds, and historical occurrences of the Potassium element.

19K39.098

Physical Properties

Melting Point63.38 °C
Boiling Point759 °C
Density0.862 g/cm³
Electronegativity0.82
Group / PeriodGroup 1, Period 4
Electronic Config[Ar] 4s¹
Bohr Shells2, 8, 8, 1

Bohr Electron Model

Visualizing the concentric Bohr orbits and energy level shells for Potassium.

+19
Shell 1: 2e⁻ | Shell 2: 8e⁻ | Shell 3: 8e⁻ | Shell 4: 1e⁻

Origin & Abundance

Discovery Details

Discovered by Humphry Davy in the year 1807.

Natural Occurrence

Highly abundant element in Earth's crust, occurring in potash and minerals like carnallite.

Common Uses & Applications

  • Nerve impulse transmission bio-regulators
  • Agricultural potash fertilizers
  • Soap manufacturing (liquid potash soaps)
  • Glass tempering processing

Common Chemical Compounds

Below are typical molecular compounds formed by Potassium interacting with other elements:

KCl (Potassium Chloride)KOH (Potassium Hydroxide)KNO₃ (Potassium Nitrate)

Element Concept Check

What color flame is produced when potassium compounds are ignited?

Video Lectures & Fact Files

Watch educational lectures detailing the chemical extraction and molecular spectrums of Potassium.
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