Multiple Choice
Which of the following is most likely an inorganic ionic compound?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Ionic Compounds
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Which of the following is the correct name for the ionic compound KOH?
A
Potassium hydrogen oxide
B
Potassium hydroxide
C
Potassium hydride
D
Potassium oxide
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the ions present in the compound KOH. Potassium (K) is a metal that forms a cation with a +1 charge, written as K\^{+}.
The OH part is a polyatomic ion called hydroxide, which carries a -1 charge, written as OH\^{-}.
Since K\^{+} and OH\^{-} have charges that balance each other in a 1:1 ratio, the compound is an ionic compound formed by potassium cations and hydroxide anions.
The correct naming convention for ionic compounds with polyatomic ions is to name the cation first (potassium) followed by the name of the polyatomic ion (hydroxide).
Therefore, the correct name for KOH is 'potassium hydroxide', not potassium hydrogen oxide, potassium hydride, or potassium oxide.
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