Page 41 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

 Gunpowder, which contains potassium, is often used in modern fireworks
to give a dramatic explosion.
halogen: one of a group of elements including chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine.
A mixture of 75% potassium nitrate, 15% carbon (charcoal), and 10% sulphur is the “black powder” used as gunpowder for more than 2200 years.
This is a feldspar crystal in a piece of granite. Crystals of volcanic rock like this are the origin of the world’s sodium and potassium compounds.
Potassium and the human body
Potassium, like sodium, is essential to all life. Nearly all potassium is used
inside the cells, making sure that the acid levels and fluid pressures remain normal. Potassium is particularly used in nerves and muscles.
The kidneys control the amount of potassium in the body. If the kidneys do not maintain certain levels, then heart problems can occur. In general, potassium is found in all foods, so that apart from when kidney diseases occur, the human body has no problem acquiring all the potassium it needs.
 The amount of potassium salts in water can be seen in some places where the waters are potassium rich. These are called soda lakes. This is a picture of potash salts encrusting the side of one such lake.
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