Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct name for the ion Al^{3+}?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for potassium oxide?
A
KO
B
K2O2
C
KO2
D
K2O
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the charges of the ions involved: potassium (K) is an alkali metal in Group 1 and forms a +1 charge ion (K\textsuperscript{+}), while oxygen (O) typically forms a -2 charge ion (O\textsuperscript{2-}).
To write the correct formula for an ionic compound, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge, resulting in a neutral compound.
Since potassium has a +1 charge and oxygen has a -2 charge, determine the ratio of potassium ions to oxygen ions needed to balance the charges. This means you need two potassium ions to balance one oxide ion.
Write the formula by placing the number of each ion as subscripts: two potassium ions (K\textsubscript{2}) and one oxide ion (O), giving K\textsubscript{2}O.
Verify that the formula is electrically neutral: (2 \times +1) + (1 \times -2) = 0, confirming that K\textsubscript{2}O is the correct chemical formula for potassium oxide.
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