When potash alum is dissolved in water the total number of ions produced is.

Options

A. Four
B. Eight
C. Ten
D. Thirty Two

Explanation

To determine the total number of ions produced when potash alum is dissolved in water, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the formula of potash alum
The chemical formula for potash alum is K₂SO₄·Al₂(SO₄)₃·24H₂O. However, for the purpose of calculating the ions produced, we focus on the ionic components.

### Step 2: Break down the components of potash alum
Potash alum can be represented as:
- K₂SO₄ (Potassium sulfate)
- Al₂(SO₄)₃ (Aluminum sulfate)

### Step 3: Determine the dissociation of each component in water
When potash alum dissolves in water, it dissociates into its ions:
- K₂SO₄ dissociates into 2 K⁺ ions and 1 SO₄²⁻ ion.
- Al₂(SO₄)₃ dissociates into 2 Al³⁺ ions and 3 SO₄²⁻ ions.

### Step 4: Count the total number of ions produced
Now, let's count the ions:
- From K₂SO₄:
- 2 K⁺ ions
- 1 SO₄²⁻ ion
- From Al₂(SO₄)₃:
- 2 Al³⁺ ions
- 3 SO₄²⁻ ions

Now, summing them up:
- K⁺ ions: 2
- Al³⁺ ions: 2
- SO₄²⁻ ions: 1 + 3 = 4

Total ions = 2 (K⁺) + 2 (Al³⁺) + 4 (SO₄²⁻) = 8 ions.

### Conclusion
Thus, when potash alum is dissolved in water, the total number of ions produced is **8**.

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