Potassium (K): Properties, Uses and Facts in 3D

Potassium is element 19 on the periodic table, an alkali metal. At room temperature it is a solid. Open it in the 3D Periodic Table to spin its tile, see its electron shells and read its story.

Open Potassium in 3D All 118 elements

Potassium (K) shown in the VisionVix 3D Periodic Table — Potassium in the VisionVix 3D Periodic Table. Click the picture to open it live.

Potassium quick facts

Atomic number	19
Symbol	K
Atomic mass	39.098
Category	Alkali Metal
Group and period	Group 1, period 4
Block	s-block
State at room temperature	Solid
Electron configuration	[Ar] 4s¹
Electrons per shell	2, 8, 8, 1
Discovered	1807, Davy

What is potassium used for?

Fertilisers (K in NPK)
Potassium chloride in medicine
Soap & glass making (potassium hydroxide, carbonate)

Interesting facts about potassium

The symbol K comes from Latin "kalium". Davy used the English name "potassium"
Potassium-40 is naturally radioactive. Every banana is slightly radioactive
Potassium regulates heartbeat. Low potassium can cause cardiac arrhythmia

Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Davy in Britain.

Where potassium sits on the periodic table

Potassium is in group 1, period 4. Tap any element to open its page.

HHe Li BeB C N O F Ne Na MgAl Si P S Cl ArKCa Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe Cs BaHf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn Fr RaRf Db Sg Bh Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn Nh Fl Mc Lv Ts OgLa Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb LuAc Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr

Previous element18. Argon Next element20. Calcium

Other alkali metals

3Lithium (Li)11Sodium (Na)37Rubidium (Rb)55Caesium (Cs)87Francium (Fr)

Potassium questions

What is the atomic number of potassium?

Potassium has atomic number 19, so every potassium atom has 19 protons in its nucleus. Its symbol is K and its atomic mass is 39.098.

Is potassium a metal?

Potassium is a metal. On the periodic table it is grouped as an alkali metal, found in group 1, period 4.

What is the electron configuration of potassium?

The electron configuration of potassium is [Ar] 4s¹. Its electrons sit in 4 shells: 2, 8, 8, 1.

What is potassium used for?

Potassium is used for fertilisers (k in npk), potassium chloride in medicine, soap & glass making (potassium hydroxide and carbonate).

Who discovered potassium?

Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Davy in Britain.

The 3D Periodic Table is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up.