Question

Enter a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of solid potassium with liquid water. Express your answer as a chemical equation. Identify all of the phases in your answer.

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of solid potassium with liquid water is 2 K(s) + 2 H2O(l) → 2 KOH(aq) + H2(g), indicating the formation of potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction of solid potassium with liquid water is a chemical process in which potassium reacts vigorously with water, producing hydrogen gas and potassium hydroxide. Here is the balanced chemical equation:

2 K(s) + 2 H2O(l) → 2 KOH(aq) + H2(g)

In this reaction, 's' stands for solid, 'l' for liquid, 'aq' for aqueous, and 'g' for gas. Potassium (K) is in the solid state, water (H2O) is in the liquid state, potassium hydroxide (KOH) forms as an aqueous solution, and hydrogen (H2) is released as a gas. By following a methodical approach, we first write and balance the molecular equation, then can differentiate into complete ionic and net ionic equations if needed, shedding any spectator ions for the net ionic equation.