Question

1. explain how potassium and phosphorus make an ionic compound.

Explanation:

Potassium (K) is a metal that loses electrons to form \(K^{+}\) ions. Phosphorus (P) is a non - metal that gains electrons to form \(P^{3 -}\) ions. Oppositely charged ions (\(K^{+}\) and \(P^{3 -}\)) attract each other through electrostatic forces to form the ionic compound potassium phosphide (\(K_{3}P\)).

Answer:

Potassium (a metal) donates electrons to become \(K^{+}\) ions, phosphorus (a non - metal) accepts electrons to become \(P^{3 -}\) ions. These oppositely charged ions are held together by electrostatic forces to form the ionic compound \(K_{3}P\).