Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

General Test

Chapter

General Knowledge

Question:

Identify the chemical structure for potassium hydroxide.

Options:

KOH

K2O

POH2

K2H2

Correct Answer:

KOH

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 1.\(KOH\).

Potassium hydroxide \((KOH)\) is a chemical compound composed of one potassium ion \((K^+)\) and one hydroxide ion \((OH^-)\).

Potassium is an alkali metal with the chemical symbol K and atomic number 19. It has one valence electron in its outermost shell. In potassium hydroxide, the potassium atom loses this valence electron to form a positively charged ion, \(K^+\).

The hydroxide ion \((OH^-)\) is composed of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom bonded together. The oxygen atom carries a negative charge, and the hydrogen atom carries a positive charge. This arrangement forms a polar covalent bond, where the oxygen atom attracts more electrons than the hydrogen atom, resulting in a net negative charge on the oxygen atom and a net positive charge on the hydrogen atom.

In potassium hydroxide \((KOH)\), the potassium ion \((K^+)\) and the hydroxide ion \((OH^-)\) are attracted to each other by ionic bonds. The potassium ion \((K^+)\) has a single positive charge, and the hydroxide ion \((OH^-)\) has a single negative charge. They combine in a one-to-one ratio to form the compound potassium hydroxide, which is represented by the chemical formula \(KOH\).

The chemical structure of potassium hydroxide, \(KOH\), reflects the combination of the potassium cation \((K^+)\) and the hydroxide anion \((OH^-)\), which together form an ionic compound with diverse applications in various industries, including as a strong base in chemical reactions, in the production of soap and detergents, and in certain industrial processes.