Question
Question: What is the chemical equation for \( potassium\text{ }oxide+water\to potassium\text{ }hydroxide \) ?...
What is the chemical equation for potassium oxide+water→potassium hydroxide ?
Solution
Hint : We know that potassium oxide K2O is an ionic compound and readily dissolves in water. It is a basic oxide of potassium, oxides ions unstable in an aqueous solution. The abstract the proton from the solvent and form hydroxide OH− ions. The reaction of conversion of oxide ions in the hydroxide ion; O2−+H2O2OH−
Complete Step By Step Answer:
Potassium hydroxide K2O is an inorganic compound. When Potassium oxide is added into the water undergoes a chemical reaction with water. In water, potassium oxide dissociates into its corresponding ions. Potassium exists as a potassium ion K+ and oxygen as an oxide ion O2− .
As potassium is a group IA element it has charge +1 and oxide has charge −2. So K+ two ions will combine with one O2− and form neutral potassium oxide. Thus, the chemical formula of potassium oxide is K2O . The chemical formula of water is H2O . When potassium oxide reacts with water it gives potassium hydroxide as the product. Hydroxide ions have a charge of −1. So the chemical formula of potassium hydroxide is KOH . The unbalanced chemical reaction of potassium oxide with water is as follows:
K2O+H2OKOH, The balanced chemical reaction is as follows: K2O+H2O2KOH.
Additional Information:
Potassium reacts with oxygen in the air and gives potassium oxide. Potassium oxide is odorless, pale yellow solid. It is a basic oxide. It is used as fertilizer. It is also used for preparing soap and glass. It also has many medical applications.
Note :
Remember that the potassium oxide is an ionic compound. All metal oxides when reacting with water give metal hydroxide as the product. One mole of all alkali metal oxide reacts with One mole of water and gives two moles of alkali metal hydroxide as the product.