How was potassium?

Question

i'm doing a science project on potassium,

and i can't find anywhere HOW it was discovered!

i know that it was discovered by sir humphrey davy in 1807 in england.

but i have no idea how..?

Answer 1

He isolated it from caustic potash (KOH) via electrolysis. He passed an electric current through a potash solution which caused Potassium (K+) and Hydroxide (OH-) to move out of solution and form a solid coating on the electrodes. The machine he used was a 'voltaic pile,' the first electric battery.