What happens when Potassium Oxide is left on a watch glass and exposed to air?
It picks up H2O from the atmosphere and changes to KOH.
K2O + H2O --> 2KOH
When Potassium Oxide (K2O) is left on a watch glass and exposed to air, it undergoes a chemical reaction with water vapor present in the air. Potassium Oxide is a highly reactive compound and readily absorbs moisture from the environment, forming Potassium Hydroxide (KOH).
The reaction can be represented by the following equation:
K2O + H2O → 2KOH
Potassium Oxide (K2O) is an ionic compound composed of potassium cations (K+) and oxide anions (O2-). When it comes into contact with water vapor, the oxide anions react with water to form hydroxide ions (OH-) and potassium hydroxide. This reaction is an example of a base and an acid reacting to form a salt and water.
So, when Potassium Oxide is left on a watch glass and exposed to air, it reacts with the moisture in the air, producing Potassium Hydroxide. It is important to handle Potassium Oxide with care and avoid its contact with moisture to prevent this reaction.