Why does potassium react violently with water?

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A periodic table element box for potassium shows atomic number 19, symbol K, atomic weight 39.0983, electron configuration [Ar]4s1, and name potassium. Icons indicate it is an alkali metal, solid at room temperature, body-centered cubic crystal structure, and has strongly basic higher-valence oxides. A key explains the symbols for alkali metals, solid state, body-centered cubic structure, and strong basicity. — potassium Properties of potassium.

Potassium reacts violently with water because it is a highly reactive alkali metal that undergoes a rapid, highly exothermic chemical reaction when it comes into contact with water.12

The reaction follows the general formula:
$M + H_{2} O \to M O H + 1 / 2 H_{2}$

During this process, the potassium reacts to produce potassium hydroxide and releases hydrogen gas. This reaction generates approximately 47 kilocalories per mole of heat. Because the reaction is so exothermic, the heat produced is sufficient to ignite the hydrogen gas, which can lead to an explosion. The intensity of the reaction is further influenced by the surface area of the metal exposed to the liquid; smaller droplets or thin films of potassium can cause the reaction to become explosive.12