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Predict the chemical formula for the ionic compound formed by the elements K and S

User Arjun Patel
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1 Answer

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K is an metal from the first group on the periodic table, while S is a nonmetal from the 16th group.

The K atom can easily lose one electron, so its valence orbital stays with no electrons.

S is similar to O, it only needs two electrons to complete its valence orbital, so it can easily attract two electrons.

Thus, the atom K will form a cation K⁺ while the atom S will form an anion S²⁻.

When putting them together, they will form an ionic compound, and it has to have a neutral charge. Since K is 1+ and S is 2-, we will need 2 K for each S, so the compound formed will be:


K_2S

User Wtorsi
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