Potassium nitrate
Potassium Nitrate
Potassium nitrate (pronunciation: pəˈtæsiəm ˈnaɪtreɪt) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula KNO3. It is a salt of potassium and nitrate ions, and is therefore an ionic compound.
Etymology
The term "Potassium nitrate" is derived from the Latin Potassium, meaning "potash" and the Greek nitron, meaning "native soda", and ate, a suffix indicating a compound containing oxygen.
Description
Potassium nitrate is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water. It is noncombustible but enhances combustion of other substances. It is used in the production of fertilizers, food preservatives, and in the manufacturing of glass and ceramics.
Related Terms
- Potassium: A chemical element with the symbol K (from Neo-Latin kalium) and atomic number 19. It is a soft, silvery-white metal, of the alkali metal group of the periodic table.
- Nitrate: A polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO3−. Nitrates also describe the organic functional group RONO2. These nitrate esters are a specialized class of explosives.
- Fertilizer: Any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soils or to plant tissues to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth of plants.
- Food preservatives: Substances added to foods to prevent decay and spoilage.
- Glass: A non-crystalline, often transparent amorphous solid, that has widespread practical, technological, and decorative use in things like window panes, tableware, and optics.
- Ceramics: A wide range of materials that include glass, earthenware, porcelain, and stoneware, as well as other modern materials.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Potassium nitrate
- Wikipedia's article - Potassium nitrate
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