Element Family
Alkali
Actinide
Space Group Name
Im_ 3m
P63/mmc
Interesting Facts
- In the list of most abundant element Potassium is ranked 7th.
- Potassium can easily be sliced (chopped) down using knife.
- Thorium metal is used as an alternate option over Uranium for nuclear fuel.
- Thorium metals appearance (silvery white, soft) is somewhat similar to Lead metal.
Sources
Found in Minerals, Mining
Found in Minerals, Mining
Who Discovered
Humphry Davy
Jöns Jakob Berzelius
Discovery
In 1807
In 1829
Abundance In Earth's Crust
Uses & Benefits
- Potassium’s compounds are in high demand for their application in Fertilizer manufacturing.
- Potassium carbonate is used in glass manufacturing and Potassium carbonate in manufacturing detergent and body wash.
- Thorium metal is used as an allying agent for Magnesium, It imparts greater strength and resistance to temperature.
-
compound of this metal Thorium oxide is used as an industrial catalyst.
Industrial Uses
Ammunition Industry, Chemical Industry
Aerospace Industry, Automobile Industry, Chemical Industry, Electrical Industry, Electronic Industry
Medical Uses
Pharmaceutical Industry
Dentistry, Surgical Instruments Manufacturing
Other Uses
-
Alloys, Jewellery, Sculptures, Statues
Present in Human Body
Yes
Yes
Physical State
Solid
Solid
Color
Silvery Gray
Silver
Pauling Electronegativity
Sanderson Electronegativity
Allred Rochow Electronegativity
Mulliken-Jaffe Electronegativity
Pauling Electropositivity
Electrochemical Equivalent
Other Chemical Properties
Chemical Stability, Flammability, Ionization, Solubility
Corrosion, Ionization, Radioactive Isotopes, Radioactivity
Electron Configuration
[Ar] 4s1
[Rn] 6d2 7s2
Crystal Structure
Body Centered Cubic (BCC)
Face Centered Cubic (FCC)
Crystal Lattice
BCC-Crystal-Structure-.jpg#100
FCC-Crystal-Structure-of-Thorium.jpg#100
Valence Electron Potential
Lattice Angles
π/2, π/2, π/2
π/2, π/2, π/2
Density At Room Temperature
Density When Liquid (at m.p.)
Other Mechanical Properties
-
Ductile
Magnetic Ordering
Paramagnetic
Paramagnetic
Electrical Property
Conductor
Superconductor