Sure, let's break down the explanation step by step:

### Understanding Ionic Compounds
1. **Ionic Bonds**: Potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium sulfide (K₂S) are both ionic compounds. Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).

2. **Potassium (K)**: Potassium is an alkali metal found in Group 1 of the periodic table. It has one electron in its outermost shell, which it readily loses to achieve a stable electron configuration. When potassium loses this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (K⁺).

3. **Chlorine (Cl)**: Chlorine is a halogen found in Group 17 of the periodic table. It has seven electrons in its outermost shell and needs one more electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. When chlorine gains an electron, it becomes a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).

### Formation of Potassium Chloride (KCl)
4. **Charge Balance**: In potassium chloride, one potassium ion (K⁺) combines with one chloride ion (Cl⁻). The charges balance each other out (1+ and 1-), resulting in a neutral compound. Therefore, the formula for potassium chloride is KCl.

### Formation of Potassium Sulfide (K₂S)
5. **Sulfur (S)**: Sulfur is found in Group 16 of the periodic table. It has six electrons in its outermost shell and needs two more electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. When sulfur gains two electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (S²⁻).

6. **Charge Balance**: In potassium sulfide, each sulfur ion (S²⁻) needs two potassium ions (K⁺) to balance the charge. This is because each potassium ion has a charge of 1+ and each sulfur ion has a charge of 2-. Therefore, two potassium ions (2 x 1+ = 2+) are needed to balance the charge of one sulfur ion (2-).

### The "2" in K₂S
7. **Indication of Quantity**: The "2" in the formula K₂S indicates that there are two potassium ions for every one sulfur ion in the compound. This is necessary to ensure that the total positive charge from the potassium ions balances the total negative charge from the sulfur ion, resulting in a neutral compound.

### Summary
- **KCl**: One potassium ion (K⁺) pairs with one chloride ion (Cl⁻) to form potassium chloride.
- **K₂S**: Two potassium ions (K⁺) pair with one sulfide ion (S²⁻) to form potassium sulfide. The "2" indicates the number of potassium ions needed to balance the charge of one sulfide ion.

By understanding the charges of the ions involved and the need for charge balance, we can determine the correct formulas for these ionic compounds.

Question

Sure, let's break down the explanation step by step:

### Understanding Ionic Compounds
1. **Ionic Bonds**: Potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium sulfide (K₂S) are both ionic compounds. Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).

2. **Potassium (K)**: Potassium is an alkali metal found in Group 1 of the periodic table. It has one electron in its outermost shell, which it readily loses to achieve a stable electron configuration. When potassium loses this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (K⁺).

3. **Chlorine (Cl)**: Chlorine is a halogen found in Group 17 of the periodic table. It has seven electrons in its outermost shell and needs one more electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. When chlorine gains an electron, it becomes a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).

### Formation of Potassium Chloride (KCl)
4. **Charge Balance**: In potassium chloride, one potassium ion (K⁺) combines with one chloride ion (Cl⁻). The charges balance each other out (1+ and 1-), resulting in a neutral compound. Therefore, the formula for potassium chloride is KCl.

### Formation of Potassium Sulfide (K₂S)
5. **Sulfur (S)**: Sulfur is found in Group 16 of the periodic table. It has six electrons in its outermost shell and needs two more electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. When sulfur gains two electrons, it becomes a negatively charged ion (S²⁻).

6. **Charge Balance**: In potassium sulfide, each sulfur ion (S²⁻) needs two potassium ions (K⁺) to balance the charge. This is because each potassium ion has a charge of 1+ and each sulfur ion has a charge of 2-. Therefore, two potassium ions (2 x 1+ = 2+) are needed to balance the charge of one sulfur ion (2-).

### The "2" in K₂S
7. **Indication of Quantity**: The "2" in the formula K₂S indicates that there are two potassium ions for every one sulfur ion in the compound. This is necessary to ensure that the total positive charge from the potassium ions balances the total negative charge from the sulfur ion, resulting in a neutral compound.

### Summary
- **KCl**: One potassium ion (K⁺) pairs with one chloride ion (Cl⁻) to form potassium chloride.
- **K₂S**: Two potassium ions (K⁺) pair with one sulfide ion (S²⁻) to form potassium sulfide. The "2" indicates the number of potassium ions needed to balance the charge of one sulfide ion.

By understanding the charges of the ions involved and the need for charge balance, we can determine the correct formulas for these ionic compounds.

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