The key difference between potassium iodide and potassium iodate is that potassium iodide is less effective in blocking radiation compared to potassium iodate.
Both potassium iodide and potassium iodate are salts of potassium, and they occur as a white, crystalline powder. Both these compounds are important as dietary supplements. One of the major applications of these compounds is in the process of blocking radiation. Here, potassium iodate is more effective than potassium iodide because potassium iodide has a poor shelf life at hot and humid climates.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Potassium Iodide
3. What is Potassium Iodate
4. Side by Side Comparison – Potassium Iodide vs Potassium Iodate in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Potassium Iodide?
Potassium iodide is an inorganic compound that has the chemical formula KI. In a commercial scale, it is produced by mixing potassium hydroxide with iodine. Besides, it is useful as a medication and as a dietary supplement as well. Concerning its properties, the molar mass of KI is 166 g/mol. The melting point is 681 °C, and the boiling point is 1,330 °C.
As a medication, it is important to treat hyperthyroidism. Moreover, it is very important in radiation emergencies. However, scientists have found now that this compound is less effective in blocking radiation because it has a poor shelf life in hot and humid climates.
Figure 01: Appearance
The side effects that occur due to the consumption of potassium iodide include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rashes, swelling of salivary glands, etc. Other than that, some people are allergic to this medication while some others show symptoms like headaches, goitre and depression.
What is Potassium Iodate?
Potassium iodate is an inorganic compound that has the chemical formula KIO3. It is useful for iodination of table salt. Hence, it is a source of dietary iodine. For instance, it is a component in baby formula milk. Concerning its properties, the molar mass of it is 214 g/mol. Moreover, its melting point is 560 °C and heating further will decompose the compound.
Figure 02: Potassium Iodate Tablets
Besides, it is also commonly known for its ability to block radiation in an emergency. In fact, it is more effective than potassium iodide as this compound has a better shelf life in hot and humid climates.
What is the Difference Between Potassium Iodide and Potassium Iodate?
Potassium iodide is an inorganic compound that has the chemical formula KI. Potassium iodate is an inorganic compound that has the chemical formula KIO3. The key difference between potassium iodide and potassium iodate is that potassium iodide is less effective in blocking radiation compared to potassium iodate.
Further, the molar mass of potassium iodide is 166 g/mol, and for potassium iodate, it is 214 g/mol. When considering the melting and boiling points, the melting point of potassium iodide is 681 °C and the boiling point is 1,330 °C while the melting point of potassium iodate is 560 °C and heating further will decompose the compound.
Below infographic provides more information regarding the difference between potassium iodide and potassium iodate.
Summary – Potassium Iodide vs Potassium Iodate
Both potassium iodide and potassium iodate are important in blocking radiation. In summary, the key difference between potassium iodide and potassium iodate is that potassium iodide is less effective in blocking radiation compared to potassium iodate.
Reference:
1. “Potassium Iodide.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 June 2019, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Potassium iodide” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Potassium iodate tablets” By Francis Tyers (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia