The reaction between potassium and oxygen
| Potassium | + | Oxygen | → | Potassium oxide |
| 4K | + | O2 | → | 2K2O |
Potassium burns with a lilac or light purple coloured flame. The potassium oxide that results from the reaction is a pale yellow colour. Potassium oxide is highly reactive. When potassium oxide reacts with water it forms potassium hydroxide, an alkaline solution with a pH of between 13 and 14.
