Question

which is the correct formation of potassium chloride?

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze potassium and chlorine ions

Potassium (K) loses one electron to form a $K^+$ ion. Chlorine (Cl) gains one electron to form a $Cl^-$ ion.

Step2: Determine ionic - bond formation

In potassium chloride (KCl), one $K^+$ ion and one $Cl^-$ ion are held together by an ionic bond. The correct formula unit representation shows one $K^+$ and one $Cl^-$ ion. The first option $[K]^+[Cl:]^-$ is correct as it represents one potassium cation and one chloride anion in the formation of potassium chloride. The second option with two chloride ions around one potassium ion is incorrect for a simple KCl formula unit.

Answer:

The correct formation is $[K]^+[Cl:]^-$ (the first option shown in the image).