Question

what is a chemical name for $kclo_2$?

1. potassium chlorate
2. potassium chlorite
3. potassium hypochlorite
4. potassium perchlorate

Explanation:

To determine the chemical name of \( \text{KClO}_2 \), we analyze the polyatomic ion. The ion \( \text{ClO}_2^- \) is chlorite (chlorate has \( \text{ClO}_3^- \), hypochlorite has \( \text{ClO}^- \), perchlorate has \( \text{ClO}_4^- \)). Potassium (\( \text{K}^+ \)) combines with chlorite (\( \text{ClO}_2^- \)) to form potassium chlorite.

Step 1: Identify the cation and anion

The compound \( \text{KClO}_2 \) has \( \text{K}^+ \) (potassium ion) and \( \text{ClO}_2^- \) (chlorite ion).

Step 2: Match the ion to the name

• Chlorate is \( \text{ClO}_3^- \) (so potassium chlorate is \( \text{KClO}_3 \)),
• Chlorite is \( \text{ClO}_2^- \) (matches \( \text{KClO}_2 \)),
• Hypochlorite is \( \text{ClO}^- \) (potassium hypochlorite is \( \text{KClO} \)),
• Perchlorate is \( \text{ClO}_4^- \) (potassium perchlorate is \( \text{KClO}_4 \)).

Answer:

1. potassium chlorite