JCE Software Chemistry Comes Alive!
Potassium with Water (Version 1)

The reaction of potassium with water containing phenolphthalein is shown.

Discussion

Solid potassium is added to a dish containing water, with phenolphthalein present as an indicator. The equation for the reaction is

2 K(s) + 2 H2O(l) ---> 2 KOH(aq) + H2(g)

The evolution of a pink color verifies the generation of a base.

Narration

This video does not include sound.