What would be different in your observations between Na and K?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 8, 2017

Well, melting point for one..........

Explanation:

And potassium is much softer than sodium metal. And sodium has a much higher melting point than potassium.

And chemically (not that you will be allowed to do this test!), potassium metal is a lot more reactive. Treat potassium with #25%# IPA in toluene, and the metal oxidize and give off dihydrogen gas. Sodium will be fairly inert in #25%# IPA in toluene, and react quite sluggishly.

On the other hand, sodium metal will react fairly vigorously with ethanol, whereas potassium will give a few flames, and a violent reaction.

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