Question

Write the chemical formula of the compound potassium chloride in a step-by-step manner.

Answer 1

The symbol of potassium is ‘K' taken from the Latin word ‘Kalium’'

The symbol of chloride is ‘Cl’.

The chemical formula of potassium chloride

Step 1:–

Write the formula of potassium chloride:

Symbol Valency

Potassium K 1⁺

Chloride Cl 1^-

Step 2:–

Write each symbol with its valency:

K¹⁺ Cl^1-

Step 3:–

Interchange the valencies:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{K}}^{}{\mathrm{Cl}}^{} \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ {1}^{+}{1}^{-} \end{gathered}$$

The formula of the compound would be KCl.