Final answer:
The reaction of potassium with water is described by the equation 2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2, while the reaction of potassium oxide with water is K2O + H2O → 2KOH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reaction of potassium with water is a highly exothermic reaction and involves the formation of potassium hydroxide (KOH) and the release of hydrogen gas (H2).
The correct balanced equation for this reaction is 2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2. This indicates that two moles of potassium react with two moles of water to produce two moles of potassium hydroxide and one mole of hydrogen gas.
The reaction of potassium oxide (K2O) with water forms potassium hydroxide (KOH). The correct balanced reaction is K2O + H2O → 2KOH. Here, one mole of potassium oxide reacts with one mole of water to yield two moles of potassium hydroxide without the release of any additional products.