Question

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

Answer 1

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

The formula of permanganate is ‘MnO₄’ with valency 1^-.

Step 1 –

Write the formula of potassium permanganate:

Symbol Valency

Potassium K 1⁺

Permanganate MnO₄ 1^-

Step 2 –

Write each symbol with its valency:

K¹⁺ MnO₄^1-

Step 3 –

Interchanging the valencies:

$$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{K}{\mathrm{MnO}}_4 \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ {1}^{+}{1}^{-} \end{gathered}$$

Therefore, the chemical formula of potassium permanganate is KMnO₄.