The formula for potassium combined with the carbonate ion (CO32-) is K2CO3.
To understand this, we start by looking at the components involved. Potassium (K) has a charge of +1, while the carbonate ion (CO3) carries a charge of -2. To achieve a neutral compound, we must balance the charges.
Since each potassium ion contributes +1 charge, we need two potassium ions to balance the -2 charge from one carbonate ion:
- 2 (K+1) = +2
- 1 (CO32-) = -2
Therefore, the overall formula is K2CO3, indicating that two potassium ions combine with one carbonate ion to form potassium carbonate.