Question

potassium cyanide is used to isolate gold from finely ground ore. write the chemical formula for potassium cyanide. refer to a periodic table and a list of polyatomic ions.

Explanation:

Potassium is represented by the symbol \(K\) (from the periodic table). The cyanide ion is a polyatomic ion with the formula \(CN^-\). In ionic compounds, the charges of the ions must balance. Potassium has a charge of \(+1\) (\(K^+\)) and cyanide has a charge of \(-1\) (\(CN^-\)). So, one \(K^+\) ion combines with one \(CN^-\) ion.

Answer:

\(KCN\)