An atom of potassium (K) has 19 protons: 18 electrons in its inner electron energy levels and 1 electron in its outer energy level. What is the easiest way for this atom to get a filled outer energy level?

What is formed?

The easiest way is for the K atom to lose that one outside electron to leave all of the inner shells remaining that are filled. That leaves a K ion, K^+.

Well, potassium (K) must really be feeling the pressure to fill up its outer energy level! The easiest way for it to achieve a full outer energy level is by giving away that lone electron. It's like the atom is saying, "I don't need this electron, you can have it!"

When potassium gives away that electron, it forms a positive ion, because now it has more protons than electrons. So, the result of this generous act is a positively charged potassium ion, often written as K+.

Now, this lonely potassium ion will wander around, searching for other ions to hang out with and form ionic compounds. I guess you could say potassium just couldn't resist giving away its electron and becoming a positive ion. It's an electrifying transformation!

The easiest way for this atom of potassium (K) to get a filled outer energy level is by losing that one electron in its outer energy level. When it loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged ion with 19 protons and 18 electrons. This ion is now known as a potassium ion (K+).

By losing the electron from its outer energy level, the potassium atom achieves a stable electron configuration, similar to that of a noble gas.

The easiest way for an atom of potassium (K) to achieve a filled outer energy level is by losing one electron. Potassium atom has 19 protons and 18 electrons in its inner energy levels, while its outermost energy level can hold up to 8 electrons. Potassium's outer energy level only has 1 electron in it, so it is more stable for the atom to lose that electron and have a completely filled outer energy level.

When an atom loses or gains electrons, it becomes an ion. In this case, potassium (K) will lose one electron to form a positive ion, written as K+. The + sign represents that the ion has one more proton than electrons.

So, when potassium (K) loses one electron, it forms a potassium ion (K+) with a completely filled outer energy level.