Sodium in oxygen tends to form sodium peroxide, Na2O2 in addition to Na2O, and potassium in oxygen tends to form potassium superoxide, KO2 (not dioxide, as this implies a 2- charge for the O), peroxide, and maybe some oxide. Also, a severe deficiency may stop the lungs from working, which is fatal. Note that in all of these compounds, the K has a charge of 1+. However, this surface soon tarnishes because of reaction with oxygen and moisture from the air. … How many moles of oxygen are in 1 mole of potassium sulfite? Alternatively, one can look at a Van der Waal radii table to find that the radii of the four elements are (in picometres): Oxygen = 152 pm Sodium = 227 pm Magnesium = 173 pm Potassium metal reacts very rapidly with water to form a colourless solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and hydrogen gas (H 2). Most health authorities agree that getting 3,500–4,700 mg of potassium daily appears to … 4K + O2 → 2K2O potassium oxide is produce Potassium react with oxygen vigorously when potassium metal is heated. Potassium is abundant in many whole foods, especially fruits, vegetables and fish. The mixture of products would likely depend on the partial pressure of oxygen in the gas mixture. This page mainly looks at the reactions of the Group 1 elements (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and caesium) with oxygen - including the simple reactions of the various kinds of oxides formed. Summary Potassium helps the lungs expand and contract, so potassium deficiency may result in shortness of breath. It also deals very briefly with the reactions of the elements with chlorine. K(s) + O 2 (g) → KO 2 (s) Reaction of potassium with water . The Reactions with Air or Oxygen . General. Visual Summary by Justin Berk The Curbsiders #195 TWDFNR 3 Potassium Oxygen and Antipsychotics. If potassium is burned in air, the result is mainly formation of orange potassium superoxide, KO 2. Oxygen = 2,6 Sodium = 2,8,1 Magnesium = 2,8,2 Potassium = 2,8,8,2 As we can see, only Potassium has four electron shells, therefore Potassium has the largest atomic size.