Potassium reacts with water, 1 of 1. A small piece of potassium metal (K) is dropped into a vial with water (H2O). Potassium reacts exothermically with water to produce potassium hydroxide (KOH) and hydrogen gas (H2): K + H2O -> KOH + H2. Due to released heat, potassium melts and burns, producing a mixture of potassium peroxide (K2O2) and potassium superoxide (KO2): K + O2 -> K2O2 and K + O2 -> KO2. Ultimately potassium explodes.