potassium

[ puh-tas-ee-uh m ]
/ pəˈtæs i əm /

noun Chemistry.

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

Origin of potassium

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

Words nearby potassium

potash alum, potash feldspar, potass, potassa, potassic, potassium, potassium acetate, potassium acid tartrate, potassium alum, potassium antimonate, potassium bicarbonate

Example sentences from the Web for potassium

British Dictionary definitions for potassium

potassium
/ (pəˈtæsɪəm) /

noun

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

Derived forms of potassium

potassic, adjective

Word Origin for potassium

C19: New Latin potassa potash

Medical definitions for potassium

potassium
[ pə-tăs′ē-əm ]

n. Symbol K

A soft, highly or explosively reactive metallic element that occurs in nature only in compounds and is found in or converted to a wide variety of salts used especially in fertilizers and soaps. Its radioisotopes are used in various diagnostic studies, including myocardial scans, detection and localization of tumors, determination of intracellular fluid space, and determination of renal blood flow. Atomic number 19. kalium

Other words from potassium

po•tas′sic adj.

Scientific definitions for potassium

potassium
[ pə-tăs′ē-əm ]

K

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. See Periodic Table.