Potassium
Potasio (K, Z=19)
- Date
- 1807 · confidence high
- Place
- Royal Institution, London, United Kingdom
- Credited to
- Humphry Davy
- People
- 👤 Humphry Davy1778–1829
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
Davy isolated potassium by electrolysis of molten caustic potash: it was the first metal obtained by electrolysis.
Davy danced with joy on seeing the metallic globules burn.
What it led to
- Electrolysis as a tool of discovery
- The use of potassium as a reducing agent to isolate other elements
- Potash fertilisers
Built on
- Voltaic pile1800
- Potash
Made possible
- Isolation of boron, silicon and aluminium
- Potash fertiliser