Potassium Acetate 1y6b29

Greg Wolcott 2nd period Honors Chemistry

Potassium Acetate In this research paper I will write an overview of four different topics that have to do with this compound. The five different categories include background characteristics(WeatherfordPotassium Acetate Page 1), chemical and physical properties(Chemspider), uses(Melt Snow), and safety measures(PubChem Potassium Acetate Section 5- Safety and Handling)(Science Lab Pages 1, 2 Sections 4,5,6). Potassium Acetate is a potassium salt for of the acetic acid, and has an average molar mass of about 98.15 grams per mole. This is one of the chemicals that are a part of the homologous series. This series includes potassium formate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Potassium Acetate resembles salt; it is a powdery, crystalline form that is white like salt is. Potassium Acetate is also very deliquescent, which means that is has a very high potential to turn into a liquid form. There are a lot of different advantages to Potassium Acetate, such as the fact that it is fluid without chloride. Also, another advantage of Potassium Acetate is that any area that is environmentally sensitive is perfect for the use of it. These environmentally sensitive areas are places on land or water that has specific features that are significant and need certain things to last longer. Potassium Acetate is one of the ingredients that can be used to help these specific features last as long as possible. Potassium Acetate is also good for the snow and ice buildup. It is able to break down the ice and melt the snow, and is safe if there is any runoff into a bigger body of water. With all the snow and ice storms that have hit the United States this year, Potassium Acetate has been utilized as much as possible to get rid of all the snow and ice that has built up.

Potassium Acetate’s molecular mass has been averaged out to be exactly 98.14232 grams per mole. In comparison, sodium chloride weighs only 58.5 grams per mole; this shows that just because the resemblance is similar, the mass isn’t. Potassium Acetate’s Molecular formula is C2H3KO2. This means that Potassium Acetate contains 2 carbon atoms, 3 hydrogen atoms, 1 Potassium atom, and 2 oxygen atoms. This compound can be prepared by treating a potassium-

Greg Wolcott 2nd period Honors Chemistry

containing base such as potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate with acetic acid: CH3COOH + KOH → CH3CO2K + H2O. Potassium Acetate contains a count of 5 heavy atoms, as well as 2 covalently bonded units. The density of Potassium Acetate is 1.8 SG, which stands for Specific Gravity; this is a form of unit-less measure of density. As a comparison, water at a temperature at 4 degrees Celsius weighs exactly 1 SG. Potassium Acetate in general is a very stable chemical compound, but it is incompatible with oxidizing agents that are very strong. Potassium Acetate is also soluble in water and alcohol, and its melting point is 292 degrees Celsius. The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius, which is 192 degrees Celsius cooler than the boiling point for Potassium Acetate! Potassium Acetate has a boiling point of 577.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is not a compound that is flammable. The pH range of Potassium Acetate is 9.3-10.3 when it is mixed in with water. This makes the water more basic than acidic or neutral.

Potassium Acetate is normally used in place of Potassium Chloride because it is good for environmentally sensitive areas. Potassium Chloride has the potential to hurt the environment, and people don’t want that to happen. Potassium Acetate works pretty much the exact same way that Potassium Chloride does. The way Potassium Acetate works is the Potassium ion it contains exchanges with sodium and calcium ions in illites and smectites, and changes the structures into ones that are more stable. The more stable structures don’t hydrate, and they don’t swell up either. Potassium Acetate becomes more soluble as temperatures rise, so it is normally stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Potassium Acetate is also used to melt snow because it becomes active at very low temperatures of around -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Potassium Acetate also is a longer lasting solution, you won’t have to put many applications of it to get the results that you are looking for. This chemical compound is easy to apply on the snow, as equipment to dispense

Greg Wolcott 2nd period Honors Chemistry

it has been around for quite a while. Potassium acetate improves safety when a natural winter weather event occurs, and is cost effective to use with that job that it does. The characteristics of this chemical compound are strong contradictors of ice, which is what makes it so effective when cold weather events strike. Finally, slipping occurs enough when ice storms hit, this chemical compound provides a less slick solution than one that is glycol based. This compound has plenty of uses, and it is a part of things that make the world a better place. Potassium Acetate can be very harmful if it makes with your eyes, too much with skin, or is ingested. If there is an in these three regions make sure to seek medical help to ensure safety. This compound is a potentially dangerous one, make sure that you are clear on your safety procedures before you try and handle a substance that can really harm you. This chemical compound is a very interesting one, and one that has been very helpful to our environment. Not many people have heard about this compound, but I hope that this paper has opened your eyes to how important this one is. It may be dangerous when used unsafely, but it is a very beneficial one to our environment when used the correct way.