Potassium when heated strongly in oxygen, if forms `:`

Options

A. `K_(2)O`
B. `KO_(2)`
C. `K_(2)O_(2)`
D. `KO_(3)`

Answer

To solve the question of what potassium forms when heated strongly in oxygen, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants in this reaction are potassium (K) and oxygen (O2). Potassium is an alkali metal, and oxygen is a diatomic molecule.

### Step 2: Write the Chemical Symbols
- Potassium is represented by the symbol **K**.
- Oxygen gas is represented by the symbol **O2**.

### Step 3: Understand the Reaction Conditions
The question states that potassium is heated strongly in oxygen. This indicates that a reaction will occur due to the high energy provided by the heat.

### Step 4: Determine the Product
When potassium reacts with oxygen, it forms potassium superoxide (KO2). This can be understood by considering the nature of the reaction and the products formed by alkali metals with oxygen.

### Step 5: Write the Chemical Equation
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:
\[ 4K + O2 \rightarrow 2KO2 \]
This indicates that four moles of potassium react with one mole of oxygen to produce two moles of potassium superoxide.

### Step 6: Explain the Product
Potassium superoxide (KO2) is formed because it contains the superoxide ion (O2^-). In this ion, the oxidation state of oxygen is -1/2, which is characteristic of superoxides.

### Conclusion
Thus, when potassium is heated strongly in oxygen, it forms potassium superoxide (KO2).

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