Is KNO3 ionic or molecular?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether potassium nitrate (KNO3) is an ionic compound or a molecular compound. Ionic compounds are formed from the transfer of electrons between a metal and a non-metal, while molecular compounds consist of atoms sharing electrons. In this case, we will need to consider the components of KNO3 to determine its classification.
Answer
ionic
The final answer is ionic
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is ionic
More Information
KNO3, or potassium nitrate, is ionic due to the electrostatic attraction between K+ and NO3− ions. However, the NO3− ion itself has covalent bonds between nitrogen and oxygen.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the ionic nature of the compound with the covalent bonds within the polyatomic ion NO3−.
Sources
- Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry - chem.libretexts.org
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