Question

At what ratio will potassium and sulfur form a binary ionic compound?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Atomic number of potassium is 19 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 8, 1.

Hence, in order to become stable in nature it will lose its one valence electron. Therefore, neutral potassium atom will change into
`K^(+)`.

As atomic number of sulfur is 16 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 6. So, in order to attain stability it will need to gain two electrons. And, by gaining two electrons a neutral atom of sulfur will change into
`S^(2-)` ion.

So, one sulfur atom will che mically react with two potassium atoms in order to gain two electrons. This will result in the formation of compound
`K_(2)S`.

Thus, we can conclude that when potassium and sulfur form a binary ionic compound then the ratio will be 2:1.

Answer 2

Since potassium is a metal with an ionic charge of 1+ and sulfur is a nonmetal with an ionic charge of 2-, we can write their ratio this way,

K^1+ = 1
S^2- = 2
and then exchange their values in which we call the crossover method and then check if they are in their simplified form.

The final or end result would be K2S, note that the two is a subscript of K.