Potassium forms an oxide containing 1 oxygen atom for every 2 atoms of potassium.What is the coefficient of oxygen in the balanced equation for the reaction of potassium with oxygen to form this oxide?
A)0
B)1
C)2
D)3
E)4

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the oxide contains one oxygen atom for every two potassium atoms, the balanced equation for the reaction of potassium with oxygen to form this oxide would be:
4K + O2 -> 2K2O
This balanced equation shows that there is one oxygen molecule (or two oxygen atoms) reacting with four potassium atoms to form two molecules of the potassium oxide. Therefore, the coefficient of oxygen is 1.

Potassium Forms an Oxide Containing 1 Oxygen Atom for Every