Even though potassium and beryllium are both metals positioned on the left hand side of the periodic table, they have many differences. The first difference is that potassium is an Alkali Metal, while beryllium is an Alkaline earth metal. Both elements are also in different periods, meaning that potassium is much larger than beryllium, being 2 periods apart. Beryllium is also strong and hard, while potassium is very soft and easily separated. Even though they are very different, they are both good conductors of heat and electricity. Both metals are also found generally as solids. Alkaline metals never occur freely in nature, while Alkaline Earth metals do. Unlike potassium, beryllium has does not react at all with water, steam or even heat. In conclusion, both potassium and beryllium have many differences, but they also both share similarities.