Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Chemistry (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=68)
-   -   3 easy questions about potassium (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=537746)

  • Dec 26, 2010, 10:33 AM
    pop000
    3 easy questions about potassium
    I need to say if is truth or lie.

    1)is that truth that in potassium Existing arrangement of positive ions surrounded by mobile electrons? I know that for potassium there is only 1 free electron but I not sure.

    2)potassium is Good electrical conductor? I know that is the electrons is who are the electrical conductor but how can I know if here potassium is a good electrical conductor again he have only 1 free electron.

    3)in potassium There is a two-atomic molecules? I think is lie because is a chemical element is a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom.
    Do I correct?

    Thanks.

  • Dec 26, 2010, 10:52 AM
    Capuchin

    1) potassium is a metal - what do you know about the structure of metals?

    2) again, what do you know about the conductivity of metals?

    3) potassium is not naturally diatomic as you state, but not for the reasons you specify - there are several diatomic elements such as oxygen, chlorine etc..

    Hope this helps, let me know if you have further questions.
  • Dec 26, 2010, 11:14 AM
    pop000
    1) I know in metals the atoms are arranged like form of a metal lattice That electrons are free to "jump" from atom to other atom. But is correct for potassium ?

    2)i know that in Electrical conductive materials must existing free charged particle like electrons.
    I know that metal are good Electrical conductive. But I am not sure about potassium.


    3)so what is the reasons that potassium is not diatomic ?

    Thanks.
  • Dec 26, 2010, 11:34 AM
    Capuchin

    1&2) potassium IS a metal..

    3) well- none of the metals are diatomic, because they contribute their electrons to the 'sea' that binds them together.
  • Dec 26, 2010, 11:49 AM
    pop000
    Comment on Capuchin's post
    OK thank you for helping me.
  • Dec 26, 2010, 08:06 PM
    DrBob1
    Sodium and potassium form Na2 and K2 molecules in the vapor phase. Just like their little brother hydrogen, the unpaired electrons in their outer shells can combine to bond the atoms into a molecule. You are correct that elements contain just one kind of atom], but these can combine in a number of combinations to form ALLOTROPES of an element. Examples are diamond/graphite (carbon), red and white phosphorus and a and b tin. Quite common.














  • Dec 27, 2010, 05:17 AM
    pop000
    Yes but I speak about potassium it self. And in State of matter solid.
    But I still not sure if potassium is a good Electrical conductive material.
    Is correct that material will be a good Electrical conductive it need more than 1 free electron?

    Thanks
  • Dec 27, 2010, 05:35 AM
    Capuchin
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pop000 View Post
    yes but i speak about potassium it self. and in State of matter solid.
    but i still not sure if potassium is a good Electrical conductive material.
    is correct that material will be a good Electrical conductive it need more than 1 free electron?

    thanks

    It's not the amount that matters, it's how the electrons are bound within the solid - in the case of metals you have completely free electrons to carry charge, so it's a very good conductor - just like all metals.

    Potassium is actually a better conductor than iron.
  • Dec 27, 2010, 05:58 AM
    pop000
    Comment on Capuchin's post
    OK thank you :)
  • Dec 27, 2010, 06:08 AM
    pop000
    OK so now I need to answer about this questions if they are truth or lie.

    1)melting point of potassium are more high than Cl? So I say is truth.
    2)in potassium existing positive ions surrounded by free electrons ? Here I am not sure I just know there free electron.

    3)potassium are soft and easy to processing? Here I say is truth

    4)potassium is a good Electrical conductive material? Here I say is truth.
    5)existing in potassium diatomic molecules? Here I say is lie.

    All the questions mean for the chemical element potassium it self and in State of matter solid.

    Thanks.
  • Dec 27, 2010, 06:12 AM
    Capuchin

    The answers you have given are correct.

    To reassure you of the answer to 2, I suggest you have a read of Wikipedia's article on metallic bonds.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:58 AM.