Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) has one potassium atom bonded to carbon, and that carbon is also bonded to three oxygens. Their electronegativities are shown in the list:

K: 0.82
C: 2.55
O: 3.44
How would you describe the bonds (K–C and C–O) in this molecule?

a) K–C is polar covalent, and C–O is polar covalent.

b) K–C is ionic, and C–O is polar covalent.

c) K–C is polar covalent, and C–O is nonpolar covalent.

d) K–C is ionic, and C–O is nonpolar covalent.

1 answer

b) K–C is ionic, and C–O is polar covalent.