potassium sulfate

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a crystalline, water-soluble solid, K 2 SO 4 , used chiefly in the manufacture of fertilizers, alums, and mineral water, and as a reagent in analytical chemistry.

Word History and Origins

Origin of potassium sulfate¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Potash, or potassium sulfate, is currently mined in regions including Carlsbad, New Mexico and at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, where the Bureau of Land Management also oversees a private company’s potash mining operations.

From Seattle Times

Of the eight cars, he says three carried wood pulp, three carried potassium sulfate and two were empty lumber cars.

From Seattle Times

The distillation process at Concept Sciences involved mixing several hundred pounds of hydroxylamine - described in chemical industry literature as “thermally unstable” and capable of spontaneously igniting in the air or on contact with copper or other metals - with potassium sulfate.

From Washington Times

Court records indicate the device was a jar filled with ball bearings and about four ounces of a green explosive powder containing potassium sulfate and other chemicals.

From Washington Times

Becquerel wrapped photographic plates in black paper, placed a sample of phosphorescent uranium potassium sulfate on top of it, and placed it in the Sun.

From Scientific American