Question

Write the chemical formula of the following compound in a step-by-step manner –

Potassium nitrate

Answer 1

Write the formula of

Potassium nitrate	Symbol	Valency
Potassium	$$\mathrm{K}$$	$$1^{+}$$
Nitrate	$$\mathrm{NO}{\phantom{A}}_3$$	$$1^{-}$$

Step I – Write each symbol with its valency.
Positive ion is written first
$${\mathrm{K}}^{1+}$$  $${[\mathrm{NO}{\phantom{A}}_3]}^{1-}$$

Step II – Interchange the valencies and ignoring the +ve and −ve signs

The Formula is $$\mathrm{KNO}{\phantom{A}}_3$$