potassium

[puh-tas-ee-uhm]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a silvery-white metallic element that oxidizes rapidly in the air and whose compounds are used as fertilizer and in special hard glasses. K; 39.102; 19; 0.86 at 20°C.

potassium

/ pəˈtæsɪəm /

noun

1. a light silvery element of the alkali metal group that is highly reactive and rapidly oxidizes in air; occurs principally in carnallite and sylvite. It is used when alloyed with sodium as a cooling medium in nuclear reactors and its compounds are widely used, esp in fertilizers. Symbol: K; atomic no: 19; atomic wt: 39.0983; valency: 1; relative density: 0.862; melting pt: 63.71°C; boiling pt: 759°C

potassium

1. A soft, highly reactive, silvery-white metallic element of the alkali group occurring in nature only in compounds. It is essential for the growth of plants and is used especially in fertilizers and soaps. Atomic number 19; atomic weight 39.098; melting point 63.65°C; boiling point 774°C; specific gravity 0.862; valence 1.

2. See Periodic Table

Other Word Forms

• potassic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of potassium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1800–10; potassa, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of potassium¹

C19: New Latin potassa potash

Example Sentences

Cloud seeding involves injecting chemical salts including silver or potassium iodide into clouds via aircraft or through generators on the ground.

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Cesium 137 behaves like potassium and is used throughout the body, winding up mostly in muscle tissue.

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Brazil imports some 90% of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients it needs, primarily from Russia, whose war in Ukraine plus Western sanctions have made supplies precarious.

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The human brain relies on ions such as potassium, sodium, and calcium to make this happen.

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It also helps balance blood sugar levels, regulate blood pressure, and is an essential player in moving calcium and potassium in and out of our cells, which maintains the rhythm of our heartbeat.

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