Answer :
Sure! Let's break down why there are three potassium atoms for every one nitrogen atom in the compound K₃N.
1. Understanding Charges:
- Potassium (K) is an alkali metal, which means it typically loses one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. When it loses this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion with a charge of +1.
- Nitrogen (N), on the other hand, typically gains three electrons to fill its outer electron shell. By gaining electrons, nitrogen becomes a negatively charged ion with a charge of -3.
2. Balancing the Charges:
- In a stable ionic compound, the total positive charge from the metal ions must balance the total negative charge from the non-metal ions.
- Since each potassium ion has a +1 charge, and the nitrogen ion has a -3 charge, we need three potassium ions to balance the charge of one nitrogen ion. This gives:
[tex]\[ 3 \times (+1) + (-3) = 0 \][/tex]
- This equation confirms that three potassium ions exactly balance the -3 charge from one nitrogen ion, resulting in a neutral compound.
Therefore, there are three potassium atoms for every one nitrogen atom in the formula K₃N to balance the +1 charge of each potassium with the -3 charge of nitrogen.
1. Understanding Charges:
- Potassium (K) is an alkali metal, which means it typically loses one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. When it loses this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion with a charge of +1.
- Nitrogen (N), on the other hand, typically gains three electrons to fill its outer electron shell. By gaining electrons, nitrogen becomes a negatively charged ion with a charge of -3.
2. Balancing the Charges:
- In a stable ionic compound, the total positive charge from the metal ions must balance the total negative charge from the non-metal ions.
- Since each potassium ion has a +1 charge, and the nitrogen ion has a -3 charge, we need three potassium ions to balance the charge of one nitrogen ion. This gives:
[tex]\[ 3 \times (+1) + (-3) = 0 \][/tex]
- This equation confirms that three potassium ions exactly balance the -3 charge from one nitrogen ion, resulting in a neutral compound.
Therefore, there are three potassium atoms for every one nitrogen atom in the formula K₃N to balance the +1 charge of each potassium with the -3 charge of nitrogen.
