Question

What is the formula for potassium sulfite?

Answer 1

`K_2SO_3`

Explanation:

Proper nomenclature says that the ion with one less O atom that the "ate" form (i.e. sulfate) is given the suffix "ite". Hence, sulfite ion is `SO_3^2-`.

We require two potassium ions, each with a +1 charge to form the electrically neutral compound.