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The Potassium Atom: Structure and Properties
Each Potassium atom consists of 19 Protons in the nucleus and 19 electrons orbiting it. The most common form of Potassium also has 20 neutrons in the nucleus though this number can vary. Potassium in its pure form is a silvery metal similar in appearance to Aluminium. However because of its structure it is highly reactive and so is never found in pure form in nature. Potassium is generally found as a positively charged ion (K+) and in this form it is important to both plants and animals for health. The most commonly encountered uses of Potassium are as a substitute for Sodium in "diet" table salts, as a bleaching agent and as an ingredient in baking soda. Isotopes of Potassium
The number of neutrons in the nucleus of Potassium ranges from 13 in 32-Potassium to 36 in 55-Potassium. Of this great range, only two forms are stable. Those are 39-Potassium and 41-Potassium which contain 20 and 22 neutrons respectively. All other isotopes are unstable. The longest lasting is 40-Potassium that has a half life of over 1.2 billion years and is frequently used to date geological deposits. All Potassium isotopes have identical chemical properties since they have the same number and structure of electrons.The majority of Potassium atoms are of the 39- variety. They account for roughly 93% of the atoms in a sample. The rest are 41- Potassium atoms with a tiny fraction being 40- atoms. They are present in natural samples due to their long half life. Electron Structure of Potassium
The single outer shell electron of Potassium is only weakly held to the atom, as indicated by the low electronegativity value. This means that the electron is easily lost. By losing this electron Potassium achieves a full outer shell of 8 electrons and is then stable. The loss of this electron results in the Potassium atom having one less electron than protons, and therefore having a positive charge of +1. This is the state it in which it is found in all natural situations.
Compounds of Potassium 
The K+ cation forms mainly ionic compounds with other elements. Examples of this are Potassium Chloride (KCl) and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH). It also forms the mineral K2CO3 which is commonly known as Potash, though many salts of Potassium go by the same or similar names. Potash can be mined where found occurring naturally, but can also be produced by boiling down the ashes of certain trees.Return from Potassium Atom to Solar Chemistry 1 or return to the Green Planet home page for more Solar Power Facts.
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The electrons in neutral Potassium are spread over four electron shells. The 
