Potassium chloride facts for kids
Potassium chloride is a common chemical compound. Its chemical formula is KCl. This means it is made of one potassium atom and one chlorine atom. These atoms are joined together as tiny charged particles called ions.
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What is Potassium Chloride Like?
Potassium chloride is a clear or white solid. It looks like tiny crystals. It is not very reactive, meaning it doesn't easily combine with other chemicals.
It is quite similar to regular table salt (which is sodium chloride). However, potassium chloride tastes a bit different.
When potassium chloride is heated in a flame, it makes a pretty pink color. This is a way scientists can tell it apart from other chemicals.
How Does it React?
Potassium chloride can react with other chemicals. For example, if you mix it with silver nitrate, it forms a new substance called silver chloride.
When it gets very, very hot, potassium chloride can react with sodium metal. This reaction creates potassium metal, which is a gas at such high temperatures.
Where is Potassium Chloride Found?
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Potassium chloride is found naturally in the Earth. It is a mineral called sylvite.
It is also found in another mineral called sylvanite. Sylvanite is a mix of both potassium chloride and table salt.
How is Potassium Chloride Made?
Most potassium chloride comes from the ocean. It can be taken out of seawater.
It is also processed from the minerals sylvite and sylvanite that are mined from the ground.
Scientists can also make it in a lab. One way is by reacting potassium nitrate with hydrochloric acid. This makes potassium chloride and nitric acid. Another way is when potassium burns in chlorine gas.
What is Potassium Chloride Used For?
Potassium chloride has many important uses in our daily lives.
Making Potassium Metal
One main use is to make pure potassium metal. Potassium chloride is heated until it melts. Then, sodium metal is added. The sodium metal turns into a gas and reacts with the melted potassium chloride. This process creates potassium gas and sodium chloride.
Other Important Uses
- It can be used to make potassium hydroxide. This happens when potassium chloride is put into water and electricity is passed through it. This process is called electrolysis.
- It is used in food processing. Sometimes, it is used instead of regular table salt. Often, it is mixed with table salt, so it's half potassium chloride and half table salt. This can help reduce the amount of sodium in food.
- It was once used in special packs that get hot when squeezed. However, other chemicals are now used for this purpose.
- It can even be used to help put out fires.
Safety Information
Potassium chloride is generally safe in small amounts, especially when used in food. However, like many substances, it can be harmful if a very large amount is taken.
Images for kids
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Potassium chloride, compacted, fertilizer grade.
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"Raise banana yields using Israeli potassium chloride!", an ad above a highway in a banana-growing district of Hekou County, Yunnan, China
See also
In Spanish: Cloruro de potasio para niños
