What is Potassium chloride?
[[File:Potassium chloride.jpg|thumb|Potassium chloride]] '''Potassium chloride''' (also known as potassium salt) is a [[chemical compound]]. Its chemical formula is KCl. It contains [[potassium]] and [[chloride]] [[ion]]s. ==Properties== It is a colorless [[crystalline]] solid. It is not [[wikt:reactive|reactive]]. It is similar to [[sodium chloride]]. It reacts with [[silver nitrate]] to make [[silver chloride]]. It reacts with [[sodium]] metal when very hot to make potassium metal. The metals are a gas because it is so hot. It makes a pink color when heated in a flame. ==Occurrence== [[File:Sylvin (aka).jpg|thumb|Sylvite]] Potassium chloride is found as a [[mineral]]. The mineral is called '''sylvite'''. It is also found in sylvanite, a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride. ==Preparation== It is taken from the [[ocean]]. It can also be processed from the mineral sylvite or sylvanite. It is made when [[potassium nitrate]] is reacted with [[hydrochloric acid]], making [[nitric acid]] and potassium chloride. It is made when potassium burns in [[chlorine]]. ==Uses== It is used to make potassium metal. Potassium chloride is heated very hot until it melts. Sodium metal is reacted with it. The sodium metal melts and boils to make sodium gas. The sodium gas reacts with the potassium chloride to make potassium gas and sodium chloride. It can be [[electrolysis|electrolyzed]] in a water solution to make [[potassium hydroxide]]. It is used in [[food processing]]. It can be used to [[execution|execute]] people in a [[lethal injection]]. It is used instead of [[table salt]] sometimes. Normally it is half table salt and half potassium chloride. It can be used to [[wikt:extinguish|extinguish]] [[fire]]s. It was used to make packs that get hot when squeezed, but better chemicals are used now. ==Safety== Potassium chloride is toxic in very large amounts. When injected into a vein it is much more toxic. ===Use in lethal injection=== {{See also|Lethal injection}} In the [[United States]], people [[death pena