There are a few ways to prepare potassium acetate, but the most common is the reaction between potassium hydroxide (KOH) and acetic acid (CH₃COOH).

Chemical Equation:

KOH (aq) + CH₃COOH (aq) → CH₃COOK (aq) + H₂O (l)

Explanation:

* KOH (aq): Potassium hydroxide dissolved in water (aqueous solution)

* CH₃COOH (aq): Acetic acid dissolved in water (aqueous solution)

* CH₃COOK (aq): Potassium acetate dissolved in water (aqueous solution)

* H₂O (l): Water in its liquid state

This reaction is a neutralization reaction where a strong base (KOH) reacts with a weak acid (CH₃COOH) to form a salt (CH₃COOK) and water.

Other methods of preparation:

* Reaction of potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) with acetic acid (CH₃COOH):

K₂CO₃ (aq) + 2CH₃COOH (aq) → 2CH₃COOK (aq) + H₂O (l) + CO₂ (g)

* Reaction of potassium metal (K) with acetic acid (CH₃COOH):

2K (s) + 2CH₃COOH (aq) → 2CH₃COOK (aq) + H₂ (g)

These methods are less common due to the hazardous nature of potassium metal and the potential for side reactions.