Question 3

Potassium has a charge of +1 in the compound KCl.

In the compound KCl, potassium (K) is found to have a charge of +1. This is consistent with potassium being an alkali metal, which typically loses one electron to achieve a stable electronic configuration.

A) -1

This option is incorrect because a charge of -1 would imply that potassium has gained an electron, which is not the case for this alkali metal. Potassium normally loses one electron to achieve stability, resulting in a +1 charge.

B) +1

This option is correct as potassium, being an alkali metal, loses one electron to form a cation with a +1 charge in KCl. This charge allows potassium to bond with the chloride ion, which has a -1 charge, resulting in a neutral compound.

C) -2

This option is incorrect since potassium does not typically lose two electrons; it only loses one electron to form a +1 charge. A -2 charge would indicate a highly unstable state for potassium.

D) +2

This option is also incorrect because potassium does not form a +2 charge in compounds. Its oxidation state in KCl is +1, as it only loses one electron. A +2 charge would require potassium to lose two electrons, which is not characteristic of this element.

Conclusion

The charge of +1 for potassium in KCl is definitive, as it reflects the element's behavior in ionic bonding where it loses one electron to achieve a stable configuration. All other options incorrectly suggest alternative charges that do not accurately represent potassium's chemical properties in this compound.