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  • Potassium Ion Formula: Achieving Noble Gas Configuration - Chemistry Explained
    Here's how to determine the formula of the ion formed when potassium achieves a noble gas configuration:

    * Potassium's Electronic Configuration: Potassium (K) has an atomic number of 19, meaning it has 19 protons and 19 electrons. Its electronic configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹.

    * Noble Gas Configuration: The nearest noble gas to potassium is Argon (Ar), with an electronic configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶.

    * Achieving Noble Gas Configuration: To achieve the stable electron configuration of Argon, potassium needs to lose one electron from its outermost shell (4s¹).

    * Formation of the Ion: When potassium loses one electron, it becomes positively charged, forming a cation. The charge is +1 because it lost one negatively charged electron.

    Therefore, the formula of the ion formed when potassium achieves a noble gas configuration is K⁺.

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