Potassium chloride (KCl, or potassium salt) is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. It is odorless and has a white or colorless vitreous crystal appearance. The solid dissolves readily in water, and its solutions have a salt-like taste. Potassium chloride can be obtained from ancient dried lake deposits. KCl is used as a fertilizer, in medicine, in scientific applications, and in food processing etc
Specifications
Uses
Compound Formula: KCL
Molecular Weight: 74.5513 g/mol
Appearance: Vitreous Crystal or Powder
Melting Point: 770°C
Boiling Point: 1,420 °C (decomposes)
Density: 1.98 g/cm³
Solubility in H2O: N/A
Exact Mass: 74.55
Monoisotopic Mass: 38.96370648 Da
Potassium is vital in the human body, and potassium chloride by mouth is the common means to treat low blood potassium, although it can also be given intravenously.
It can be used as a salt substitute for food, but due to its weak, bitter, unsalty flavor, it is often mixed with ordinary table salt (sodium chloride) to improve the taste to form low sodium salt.
It is used as a supplement in animal feed to boost the potassium level in the feed. As an added benefit, it is known to increase milk production.