Question

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

Answer 1

The symbol of potassium is ‘K’ which is derived from the Latin word Kalium, having valency 1⁺.

The formula of nitrate is ‘NO₃’ with valency 1^-.

Step 1 –

Write the formula of potassium bromide:

Symbol Valency

Potassium K 1⁺

Nitrate NO₃ 1^-

Step 2 –

Write each symbol with its valency:

K¹⁺ NO₃^1-

Step 3 –

Interchanging the valencies:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{K}{\mathrm{NO}}_3 \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ {1}^{+}{1}^{-} \end{gathered}$$

The formula of the compound potassium nitrate is KNO₃.