Final answer:
Potassium oxide reacts vigorously with water to produce potassium hydroxide (KOH), releasing heat and resulting in an alkaline solution where the potassium and hydroxide ions become hydrated and move freely in solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
When potassium oxide is added to water, it reacts to form potassium hydroxide (KOH), an alkali. This is a type of chemical reaction known as a combination reaction, and it can be represented by the balanced chemical equation 2K2O + 2H2O → 4KOH. During this process, O2- ions in potassium oxide combine with H+ ions in water to form OH- ions. The potassium hydroxide thus produced is a highly soluble ionic compound and completely dissociates when dissolved in dilute solution.
Potassium, being a very reactive alkali metal, also demonstrates vigorous reactions with other substances. It is normally stored under oil to prevent it from reacting with air or moisture. The reaction of potassium oxide with water is highly exothermic, releasing a significant amount of heat, and resulting in an alkaline solution. In solution, the potassium ions (K+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) become hydrated, surrounded by water molecules, reducing the electrostatic attractions and allowing the ions to move freely. This hydrated state contributes to the dissolution process and increases the disorder of the system as ions shift from fixed positions in the solid to mobile states in solution.