POP! Potassium meets Water
Potassium has one lonely outer electron that it REALLY wants to give away. Water happily takes it, and that swap releases lots of heat very fast. The heat sets the hydrogen gas on fire with a lilac flame and a loud pop!
The result
- What it makes
- Potassium hydroxide + hydrogen gas
- Equation
- 2K + 2H₂O → 2KOH + H₂
- When it happens
- At room temperature
Fun fact from Fizzy: Potassium reacts so fast that it skates across the water on a cushion of gas.
🥽 Never try this at home! Real potassium can explode and burn. Scientists handle it with goggles, gloves and tiny amounts.