Potassium

**Symbol:** K **Atomic number:** 19 **International name:** Potassium **Relative Atomic Weight:** 39.098 g/mol **Description:** Potassium is a highly reactive, silvery metal that is light, glossy, and extremely soft, making it easy to cut with a knife. Because of its high reactivity and risk of self-ignition when exposed to air, potassium must be stored under a layer of kerosene. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat. In nature, potassium only exists in its ionic form as K⁺. **Applications:** Pure metallic potassium is less commonly used than its compounds. For example, potassium hydroxide is used in the production of liquid soaps, pharmaceuticals and paper. **Occurrence:** Potassium is one of the ten most abundant elements on Earth and is primarily found in seawater. In nature, it is always present in compound form. Its most significant minerals are sylvite (KCl) and niter (KNO₃). Potassium is a vital biogenic element in all living organisms. **Structure:** Potassium crystallizes in a cubic system with a body-centered lattice structure.