Definitions for Potassium
pəˈtæs i əmpotas·si·um

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. potassium, K, atomic number 19noun

   a light soft silver-white metallic element of the alkali metal group; oxidizes rapidly in air and reacts violently with water; is abundant in nature in combined forms occurring in sea water and in carnallite and kainite and sylvite

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. potassiumnoun

   A soft, waxy, silvery reactive metal that is never found unbound in nature; an element (symbol K) with an atomic number of 19 and atomic weight of 39.0983. The symbol is derived from the Latin kalium.

2. Etymology: From potassa + -ium.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Potassium

   Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K (from Neo-Latin kalium) and atomic number 19. It is a silvery-white metal that is soft enough to easily cut with a knife. Potassium metal reacts rapidly with atmospheric oxygen to form flaky white potassium peroxide in only seconds of exposure. It was first isolated from potash, the ashes of plants, from which its name derives. In the periodic table, potassium is one of the alkali metals, all of which have a single valence electron in the outer electron shell, which is easily removed to create an ion with a positive charge (which combines with anions to form salts). In nature, potassium occurs only in ionic salts. Elemental potassium reacts vigorously with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite hydrogen emitted in the reaction, and burning with a lilac-colored flame. It is found dissolved in seawater (which is 0.04% potassium by weight), and occurs in many minerals such as orthoclase, a common constituent of granites and other igneous rocks.Potassium is chemically very similar to sodium, the previous element in group 1 of the periodic table. They have a similar first ionization energy, which allows for each atom to give up its sole outer electron. It was suspected in 1702 that they were distinct elements that combine with the same anions to make similar salts, and this was proven in 1807 through using electrolysis. Naturally occurring potassium is composed of three isotopes, of which 40K is radioactive. Traces of 40K are found in all potassium, and it is the most common radioisotope in the human body. Potassium ions are vital for the functioning of all living cells. The transfer of potassium ions across nerve cell membranes is necessary for normal nerve transmission; potassium deficiency and excess can each result in numerous signs and symptoms, including an abnormal heart rhythm and various electrocardiographic abnormalities. Fresh fruits and vegetables are good dietary sources of potassium. The body responds to the influx of dietary potassium, which raises serum potassium levels, by shifting potassium from outside to inside cells and increasing potassium excretion by the kidneys. Most industrial applications of potassium exploit the high solubility of its compounds in water, such as saltwater soap. Heavy crop production rapidly depletes the soil of potassium, and this can be remedied with agricultural fertilizers containing potassium, accounting for 95% of global potassium chemical production.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. potassium

   Potassium is a chemical element with the symbol K (derived from Neo-Latin, kalium) and atomic number 19. It is an alkali metal that is reactive, silver-white, soft, and occurs in various minerals and is an essential constituent of plant and animal cells. It is also required for several vital physiological processes such as nerve function, muscle contraction, and maintaining fluid balance.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Potassiumnoun

   an Alkali element, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.0. Symbol K (Kalium)

2. Etymology: [NL. See Potassa, Potash.]

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Potassium

   Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction and burning with a lilac flame. Because potassium and sodium are chemically very similar, their salts were not at first differentiated. The existence of multiple elements in their salts was suspected from 1702, and this was proven in 1807 when potassium and sodium were individually isolated from different salts by electrolysis. Potassium in nature occurs only in ionic salts. As such, it is found dissolved in seawater, and is part of many minerals. Most industrial chemical applications of potassium employ the relatively high solubility in water of potassium compounds, such as potassium soaps. Potassium metal has only a few special applications, being replaced in most chemical reactions with sodium metal. Potassium ions are necessary for the function of all living cells. Potassium ion diffusion is a key mechanism in nerve transmission, and potassium depletion in animals, including humans, results in various cardiac dysfunctions. Potassium accumulates in plant cells, and thus fresh fruits and vegetables are a good dietary source of it. Conversely, most plants except specialist halophytes are intolerant of salt, and sodium is present in them only in low concentration. This resulted in potassium first being isolated from potash, the ashes of plants, giving the element its name. For the same reason, heavy crop production rapidly depletes soils of potassium, and agricultural fertilizers consume 95% of global potassium chemical production.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Potassium

   pō-tas′i-um, n. the metallic base of the alkali potash—it is of a bluish colour, and presents a strong metallic lustre. [Potassa.]

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Potassium

   An element that is in the alkali group of metals. It has an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte and it plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the water-electrolyte balance.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. potassium

   An element.

   Potassium in nature occurs in ionic salts.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on December 31, 2016  

Matched Categories

1. • Metallic Element

How to pronounce Potassium?

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Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Potassium in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Potassium in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of Potassium in a Sentence

1. Gina Sam:

   Potassium is an important electrolyte for proper muscle movement.

2. Kimberly Baker:

   There is about 250 mg of potassium per half-cup serving of cooked pumpkin, potassium helps to contract muscles, regulates fluid and mineral balance within the cells of the body, and helps to maintain normal blood pressure.

3. Gena Hamshaw:

   They’re known for being good sources of both dietary fiber and plant protein. But they also offer up iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, it’s hard to find foods that are so rich in so many important and valuable nutrients, not to mention budget-friendly.

4. John Brick:

   These will also help to replace lost salts, including potassium and other substances.

5. Brian Hostetler:

   In the presence of potassium iodide, hydrogen peroxide decomposes almost immediately.

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Potassium
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Potassium
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Potassium
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Potassium
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Potassium