KCl
Potassium chloride
K+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Potassium?
Potassium commonly forms K+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Potassium usually has a common ionic charge of +1, written as K+.
| Element | Potassium |
|---|---|
| Symbol | K |
| Atomic number | 19 |
| Common ionic charge | +1 |
| Common ions | K+ |
Why Potassium has this charge
Potassium is an alkali metal, so it commonly loses one electron and forms a +1 ion.
Potassium charge examples
K2O
Potassium oxide
Potassium can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Potassium charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.