Asked by jena

The ionization energies (kJ/mol) of hydrogen (H) , nitrogen (N) , potassium (K) , and oxygen (O) are 1,312, 1,402, 419, and 1,314, respectively.

Which element combination is least likely?

Responses

OH−
uppercase O H superscript minus end superscript

KO−
uppercase K uppercase O superscript minus end superscript

NO3 −
uppercase N O subscript 3 end subscript superscript minus end superscript

NH4 +

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
KO−

Reason: K has a very low ionization energy (419 kJ·mol−1) and will form K+; O is a nonmetal (high IE ≈1314) and typically forms O2− (or O2−/O2− peroxides/superoxides), so the normal stoichiometry is K2O (K+ / O2−). OH−, NO3− and NH4+ are common, stable ions; KO− (a single K with an O carrying −1 overall) is not a reasonable, commonly formed species.