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{{Element | name=Potassium | symbol=K | anumber=19 | amass=39.10 amu | state=solid | class=Alkali metal | cstructure=Body-Centered Cubic | color=Silver | date=1807 | discname=[[Davy, Sir Humphrey ]] | origname=From the Latin ''Kalium'' | uses=important biological role, and used in numerous industrial processes | obtained=sylvite, sylvinite, carnallite }}

{{Element | name=Potassium | symbol=K | anumber=19 | amass=39.10 amu | state=solid | class=Alkali metal | cstructure=Body-Centered Cubic | color=Silver | date=1807 | discname=[[Davy, Sir Humphrey ]] | origname=From the Latin ''Kalium'' | uses=important biological role, and used in numerous industrial processes | obtained=sylvite, sylvinite, carnallite }}

'''Potassium''' is an element<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000</ref>in the Alkali metals class of the periodic table.  It is so chemically active that it is never found free (in elemental form) in nature.  In its elemental form, it reacts with water, forming potassium hydroxide and [[hydrogen]] gas, so violently that the hydrogen usually catches fire.

'''Potassium''' is an [[element]]<ref>Wile, Dr. Jay L. ''Exploring Creation With Physical Science''. Apologia Educational Ministries, Inc. 1999, 2000</ref> in the [[alkali metal]]s class of the [[periodic table]].  It is so chemically active that it is never found free (in elemental form) in nature.  In its elemental form, it reacts with water, forming potassium hydroxide and [[hydrogen]] gas, so violently that the hydrogen usually catches fire. It reacts with the [[halogen]]s to make halides like [[potassium chloride]].

Its existence as "potash" or "vegetable alkali" (potassium carbonate), "caustic potash" (potassium hydroxide), etc., had long been known, but it was not isolated as an element until 1807, by Sir Humphrey Davy.

Its existence as "potash" or "vegetable alkali" (potassium carbonate), "caustic potash" (potassium hydroxide), etc., had long been known, but it was not isolated as an element until 1807, by Sir Humphrey Davy. It was isolated by [[electrolysis]] of potassium hydroxide.

The radioactive decay of potassium provides a method of [[radiometric dating]] called [[potassium-argon dating]] that is used to calculate the ages of volcanic rocks.

The radioactive decay of potassium provides a method of [[radiometric dating]] called [[potassium-argon dating]] that is used to calculate the ages of volcanic rocks.