Which salt is formed when potassium hydroxide (KOH) reacts with sulfuric acid (H2SO4)?

• A. KHSO4
• B. K2SO3
• C. KNO3
• D. K2SO4

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants: potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong base, and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a strong acid.
2. Write the balanced chemical equation for the neutralization reaction between KOH and H2SO4. Since H2SO4 has two acidic protons, it can react with two moles of KOH:
3. \[ \mathrm{H_2SO_4 + 2KOH \rightarrow K_2SO_4 + 2H_2O} \]
4. Recognize that the salt formed is potassium sulfate (K2SO4), because the sulfate ion (SO4^{2-}) pairs with two potassium ions (K^+) to maintain charge neutrality.
5. Confirm that the other options are incorrect: KHSO4 is potassium bisulfate (formed if only one proton is neutralized), K2SO3 is potassium sulfite (different anion SO3^{2-}), and KNO3 is potassium nitrate (from nitric acid, not sulfuric acid).