Interesting Facts On Potassium
So what is potassium? Potassium is a chemical element and has been assigned the letter K. Potassium was first isolated from potash which is currently mined in quantity in both Saskatchewan and New Brunswick, Canada.
Potassium is the principal positively charged ion (cation) in the fluid inside of cells, while sodium is the principal cation in the fluid outside of cells. Potassium concentrations are about about 30 times higher inside than outside cells, while the mineral sodium is more than ten times lower inside than outside of cells.
Where do we normally find potassium?
Potassium in nature occurs only as ionic salt and is normally found in dissolved in seawater, and as part of many minerals including potash. Potassium ion is necessary for the function of all living cells, and is present in all plant and animal tissues. It is found in especially high concentrations in plant cells, and in a mixed diet, it is most highly concentrated in fruits. A potassium intake sufficient to support life can generally be guaranteed by eating a variety of foods, especially plant foods. Clear cases of potassium deficiency (as defined by symptoms, signs and a below-normal blood level of the element) is rare in healthy individuals eating a balanced diet. Foods with high sources of potassium include: Bananas, Potato that is baked including the skin, prune juice, plums, orange juice, tomato juice, raisins, cooked lima beans, cooked spinach, sunflower seeds, almonds and molasses.
Is potassium necessary for humans?
Yes. Diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of hypertension and possibly stroke. Some activities and conditions can lead or cause its depletion and some are as follows: the use of potassium-wasting diuretics, alcoholism, severe vomiting or diarrhea, overuse or abuse of laxatives, anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
What is the primary use?
Potassium ion is an essential component of plant nutrition and is found in most soil types. Its primary use in agriculture, horticulture and hydroponic culture is as a fertilizer. In animal cells, potassium ions are vital to keeping cells alive. Potassium chloride is used as a substitute for table salt by those seeking to reduce sodium intake so as to control hypertension.
Are there any dangers associated with potassium?
Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white metallic alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the evolved hydrogen. Potassium reacts very violently with water producing hydrogen gas which then usually catches fire. Potassium is usually kept under a hydrocarbon oil such as mineral oil or kerosene to stop the metal from reacting with water vapour present in the air. Unlike lithium and sodium, however, potassium should not be stored under oil indefinitely. If stored longer than 6 months to a year, dangerous shock-sensitiveperoxides can form on the metal and under the lid of the container, which can detonate upon opening. It is usually recommended that potassium, not be stored for longer than three months unless stored in an inert (oxygen free) atmosphere, or under vacuum.
As potassium reacts with water to produce highly flammablehydrogen gas, a potassium fire is only exacerbated by the addition of water, and only a few dry chemicals are effective for putting out such a fire.
Potassium also produces potassium hydroxide in the reaction with water, and it is a strong alkali and so is a caustic hazard, causing burns. Due to the highly reactive nature of potassium metal, it must be handled with great care, with full skin and eye protection being used and preferably an explosive resistant barrier between the user and the potassium.
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