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POTASSIU.ASC
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1992-07-13
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713b
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19 lines
POTASSIUM
Atomic symbol - K
Atomic weight - 39.0983
Atomic number - 19
Electron configuration - 2-8-8-1
Oxidation states - +1
State of matter - solid
Light metal
Discovered in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy
Boils at 760 °C, melts at 63.3 °C
Notes:
Too active to be found in nature. It's intensely reactive. More reactive than
sodium or lithium. It's very soft and silvery. Excellent conductor of heat and
electricity. When sufficently heated it emits a violet color. Busts into flame
when in contact with water. Alloyed with sodium it form an important heat
transfer medium in nuclear power plants. Is a good electron source for
cyclotrons and photoelectric cells.