Potassium

dm3=γ | de3=1.460 | pn3= | ps3=- }}

Occurrence

Potassium makes up about 2.40% of the weight of the Earth's crust and is the seventh most abundant element in it. As it is very electropositive, potassium metal is difficult to obtain from its minerals.

Related Topics:
Earth - Electropositive - Mineral

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Potassium salts such as carnallite, langbeinite, polyhalite, and sylvite are found in ancient lake and sea beds. These minerals form extensive deposits in these environments, making extracting potassium and its salts more economical. The principal source of potassium, potash, is mined in California, Germany, New Mexico, Utah, and in other places around the world. 3000 ft below the surface of Saskatchewan are large deposits of potash which may become important sources of this element and its salts in the future.

Related Topics:
Carnallite - Langbeinite - Polyhalite - Sylvite - Lake - Sea - Potash - California - Germany - New Mexico - Utah - Saskatchewan

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The oceans are another source of potassium, but the quantity present in a given volume of seawater is relatively low compared to sodium.

Related Topics:
Ocean - Seawater - Sodium

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Potassium can be isolated through electrolysis of its hydroxide in a process that has changed little since Davy. Thermal methods also are employed in potassium production, using potassium chloride. Potassium is almost never found unbound in nature. However, in living organisms K+ ions are important in the physiology of excitable cells.

Related Topics:
Electrolysis - Hydroxide - Davy - Potassium chloride

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