Question

Where is potassium kept?
(A) Alcohol
(B) Water
(C) Kerosene
(D) Liquid ammonia

Answer 1

Hint: In the above question, it is asked where potassium kept. Since, potassium is a highly reactive element which reacts violently and can be dangerous. Hence, it should be stored inside a compound with which it does not react.

Complete step by step solution
Potassium is the second least dense metal after lithium. It has a low melting point, and can be easily cut with a knife. Freshly cut potassium is silvery in appearance.
Since, alcohol and potassium reacts to liberate hydrogen gas. And hence, potassium cannot be stored in alcohol. The reaction can be illustrated as:
${\text{2K + 2ROH}} \to {\text{2KOR + }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}$
Where R is an alkyl group.
Similarly, water and potassium reacts to liberate hydrogen gas. And hence, potassium cannot be stored in water. The reaction can be illustrated as:
${\text{2K + 2}}{{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}} \to {\text{2KOH + }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}$
Sodium and Potassium are very reactive metals. And hence, kept in kerosene oil to prevent it from coming in contact with oxygen and moisture as they react to form their hydroxides. This is an exothermic reaction and a lot of heat is generated so both the metals are kept in kerosene oil.
Potassium also reacts with liquid ammonia. Ammoniated electrons exist in solutions of potassium amide in liquid ammonia which have reached thermodynamic equilibrium with hydrogen gas.
Hence, we can conclude that potassium is kept inside kerosene.
So, option C is the correct option.

Note
As potassium and alcohol react, the concentration of potassium decreases in the body when a person consumes more alcohol. This leads to electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis and hyponatremia.