(Eng. potash, pot ashes; L. kalium) Discovered in 1807 by Davy. The seventh most abundant on earth and makes up about 2.4% of the earth's crust. Found extensively as potash (KOH), mined in Germany, U.S. and elsewhere. Lighter than all metals except lithium.
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alkali metal, highly reactive (especially water), not found free in nature, nine known isotopes, silver metal