potassium

Definition

A soft, waxy, silvery reactive metal that is never found unbound in nature; an element with atomic number 19 and atomic weight of 39.0983.

Etymology

Coined by British chemist Humphry Davy in 1807, from potassa (a Latinized form of potash) + -ium.

Example Sentences

• "We all need potassium, and green vegetables are a good source."
• "This reaction substitutes a potassium for a sodium."

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