Chapter 7, Problem 12STP

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The formation of KCl (an ionic compound).

Introduction : 

KCl or potassium chloride is an inorganic compound with a covalent bond between potassium andchloride ion. The bond is polar because chlorine is more electronegative than potassium. Acovalent bond is formed between two elements by sharing of electrons pairs to complete theirvalence shell.

Answer to Problem 12STP

  

Explanation of Solution

Atoms form a bond to complete their valance shell and become stable by attaining the nearest noble gas configuration. Potassium has total 19 protons and electrons with one electron in its outer shell that can house a maximum of eight electrons to attain stability. Chlorine has atomic number 17 which suggests that the number of electrons in a chlorine atom is 17. The electronic configuration of chlorine has three shells, K, L, and M, with 7 electrons in the M shell. It needs one electron to complete its valence shell. The sharing of electrons between potassium and chlorine atom leads to a stable compound with a partial negative charge on chlorine and a partial positive charge on potassium as chlorine is more electronegative than potassium.