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K

Potassium

Potassium is a chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. It has a standard atomic weight of 39.098, sits in period 4 and group 1, and is classified as an alkali metal.

Properties

SymbolK
Atomic number19
Standard atomic weight39.098
CategoryAlkali metal
Group1
Period4
Electron configuration[Ar] 4s1
Outer-shell electrons1

The figure of 39.098 is a standard atomic weight.

Compounds containing potassium

14 of the compounds in this reference contain K, listed by the fraction of their mass it makes up.

CompoundFormulaAtoms% by mass
potassium hydroxideHKO169.7%
potassium cyanideCKN160.0%
potassium carbonateCK2O3256.6%
potassium chlorideClK152.4%
potassium ferrocyanideC6FeK4N6442.5%
potassium nitrateKNO3138.7%
potassium ferricyanideC6FeK3N6335.6%
potassium chlorateClKO3131.9%
potassium phosphateH2KO4P128.7%
potassium dichromateCr2K2O7226.6%
potassium permanganateKMnO4124.7%
potassium iodideIK123.6%
potassium bromateBrKO3123.4%
potassium iodateIKO3118.3%

Calculate with potassium

Group 1

Atomic weights are the IUPAC 2021 standard values, abridged to the conventional five significant figures. Group, period, category and electron configuration are derived from the atomic number rather than stored, so they cannot drift out of step with it.