LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Potassium: Sodium
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Potassium, along with calcium and sodium, is an electrolyte (mineral salt) important to the human nervous system, muscle function, fluid balance and heart, kidney and adrenal functions. A deficiency of potassium (hypokalemia) can manifest as weakness, fatigue, confusion, heart irregularities, and sometimes problems in muscular coordination. Insufficient potassium can ... exaggerate the effects of sodium. The first sign of a potassium deficiency is usually a generalized weakness.
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Potassium is a soft, silver-white metal. Physically and chemically it resembles the other alkali metals in Group 1 of the periodic table. It is extremely reactive, more so than sodium. It combines so readily with oxygen that it is usually stored submerged in kerosene or some other hydrocarbon, out of contact with air. It reacts violently with water to form potassium hydroxide, KOH, releasing hydrogen, which usually ignites. It combines directly with the halogens, sulfur, and other nonmetallic elements (except nitrogen).
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Potassium plays a number of important roles in the human body .... It helps control the proper balance of fluids in cells and body fluids. It is involved in the transmission of chemical messages between nerve cells and in the contraction of muscles. Potassium also helps in the digestion of food and in the proper function of the eyes. In many of these reactions, potassium and sodium work together to keep these functions performing properly.
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Potassium metal reacts very rapidly with water to form a colourless basic solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and hydrogen gas (H2). The reaction continues even when the solution becomes basic. The resulting solution is basic because of the dissolved hydroxide. The reaction is exothermic. Early in the reaction, the potassium metal becomes so hot that it catches fire and burns with a characteristic pale lilac colour. The reaction is slower than that of rubidium (immediately below potassium in the periodic table), but faster than that of sodium (immediately above potassium in the periodic table).
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Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy, who derived it from caustic potash (KOH). Before the 18th century, no distiction was made between potassium and sodium. Potassium was the first metal that was isolated by electrolysis.
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Potassium is found in many foods (including apricots, meat, fish, and poultry). Fruit and vegetables are especially valuable sources of potassium because they tend be relatively low in sodium. Bananas are an excellent recovery food for replacing potassium lost in sweat and they are very convenient (the original prewrapped food!). For these reasons, many professional cyclists eat bananas during races.
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