Potassium reacts quickly with water producing a lilac-coloured flame ... There is sometimes a small explosion at the end of the reaction.

The potassium reacts with the water and gets very hot, producing potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas which ignites. The reaction of the potassium with water is similar to the reaction of sodium in ...

When the alkali metals are cut, they initially appear shiny grey but quickly become dull and white as they react with oxygen in the air. This is known as tarnishing. Sodium tarnishes more quickly ...