Potassium salt

Potassium Salt

Potassium salt, also known as potassium chloride, is a type of salt that is often used as a substitute for table salt. It is also used in medicine, scientific applications, food processing, and in judicial execution through lethal injection.

Chemical Properties

Potassium salt is a white or colorless crystalline solid with a salty taste. It is odorless and has a density of 1.98 g/cm³. It is soluble in water, glycerol, and slightly soluble in alcohol. Its chemical formula is KCl and its molar mass is 74.5513 g/mol.

Uses

Food Processing

In food processing, potassium salt is used as a salt substitute for individuals on a low sodium diet. It provides a salty flavor without adding sodium. It is also used as a food preservative and a firming agent.

Medicine

In medicine, potassium salt is used in the treatment of hypokalemia, a condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood. It is also used in lethal injection as the third of a three-drug combination, following an anesthetic and paralytic.

Scientific Applications

In scientific applications, potassium salt is used in the calibration of radiation monitoring equipment, due to its stable and convenient radioactive properties.

Health Effects

While potassium salt is generally safe for consumption, excessive intake can lead to hyperkalemia, a condition characterized by high potassium levels in the blood. Symptoms of hyperkalemia include fatigue, weakness, numbness, and heart palpitations.

See Also

• Sodium chloride
• Salt substitute
• Hypokalemia
• Hyperkalemia

References

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