Potassium
[pə'tæsɪəm]
Definition
(noun.) 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.
Inputed by Fidel--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) 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).
Checked by John
Definition
n. the metallic base of the alkali potash—it is of a bluish colour and presents a strong metallic lustre.
Typed by Levi
Examples
- A clean plate of glass is coated with collodion sensitized with iodides of potassium, etc. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Muriate of ammonium 5 parts}| n t | Nitrate of potassium 5 parts}| y u | | r | Snow or pounded ice 12 parts}| e | Muriate of sodium 5 parts}| to -25° | . William K. David. Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians.
- In the following year Davy reported other chemical changes produced by electricity; he had succeeded in decomposing the fixed alkalis and disc overing the elements potassium and sodium. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- When dry, dip the paper into a solution of iodide of potassium, containing 500 grains dissolved in 1 pint of water, and let it remain in the solution two or three minutes. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- Metallic silver takes the place of potassium, forming insoluble iodide of silver on the film. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- But the amount of potash thus obtained is far too limited to supply the needs of agriculture; and to-day the main sources of potash are the vast deposits of potassium salts found in Prussia. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- By the cyanide process, in which cyanide of potassium is used as a solvent for the gold, low-grade ores can be profitably worked. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- If a piece of potassium permanganate about the size of a grain of sand is put into a quart of water, the solid disappears and the water becomes a deep rich red. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The trough battery was used by Sir Humphry Davy in his series of great experiments--1806-1808--in which he isolated the metallic bases, calcium, sodium, potassium, etc. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- I had given the boy considerable iodide of potassium to prevent salivation, but it did no good in this case. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- All metallic sodium and potassium are now obtained by electrolysis of fused hydroxides or chlorides (Pats. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Solutions of potassium iodide were frequently used for this purpose, giving a sharp, blue record, but fading away too rapidly. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- It was discovered in 1836 by Edmond Davy, who produced carburet of potassium, and evolved acetylene gas therefrom by decomposing it with water. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Preparing oxygen from potassium chlorate and manganese dioxide. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- The menstruum best adapted for electro-plating is a solution of silver in cyanide of potassium. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
Typist: Lottie