What is the formula of Potassium Nitrate?

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Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the formula of Potassium Nitrate?

Explanation:
Salts form from ions that balance their charges to make a neutral solid. Potassium forms a +1 ion (K+), and the nitrate ion has a -1 charge (NO3−). When one of each combine, their charges cancel, giving the neutral compound with the formula KNO3. That’s why potassium nitrate is written as KNO3. The other possibilities describe different ions or wrong charge balance: potassium nitrite would be KNO2 (NO2−), potassium nitride would be KN or K3N (nitride N3−), and K2NO3 would leave an overall positive charge if written as a simple compound.

Salts form from ions that balance their charges to make a neutral solid. Potassium forms a +1 ion (K+), and the nitrate ion has a -1 charge (NO3−). When one of each combine, their charges cancel, giving the neutral compound with the formula KNO3.

That’s why potassium nitrate is written as KNO3. The other possibilities describe different ions or wrong charge balance: potassium nitrite would be KNO2 (NO2−), potassium nitride would be KN or K3N (nitride N3−), and K2NO3 would leave an overall positive charge if written as a simple compound.

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