Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

DodgerWalker t1_j4vcqu9 wrote

I understand the joke, but the chemist in me is like “that should be K2O and MgO” which or course wouldn’t work. When a metal and a non-metal become bonded, the metal gets named first.

240

palordrolap t1_j4wgjnq wrote

OK (or better, KO) could be an "average" formula for a 50/50 mix of K2O and KO2.

It wouldn't be the first time such a formula was used.

That said, I don't know enough to be sure that such a mix could exist. I'd guess not, and any attempt would maybe release a lot of oxygen if not explode.

Getting it wet definitely wouldn't be a good idea though.

7

DodgerWalker t1_j4wt8eq wrote

I didn't realize KO2 was possible

3

Lord_Havelock t1_j4xq2if wrote

In chemistry, I find that a lot of things are possible, the question is if you can do it a second time.

6

DodgerWalker t1_j4xyov5 wrote

Yeah, you have all these rules but then they have exceptions. Like noble gases don’t react ... except the heavier ones can react fluorine.

2

sintakks t1_j4zvbiv wrote

You can't knock someone out in the second round?

1

ijmacd t1_j4zfagy wrote

If NOX is used for Nitrogen oxides, why can't we have KOX?

2

roostertree OP t1_j55ta5g wrote

Sounds difficult. And everyone knows that hard KOx are reserved for students at the School of Hard KNOx

2

Fantastic-Machine-83 t1_j4w0lqi wrote

You can still have OK in a chemistry context though. In a carboxylate Potassium salt the end of the chain will be RCOOK

3

I_like_boxes t1_j4wphs3 wrote

I'm pretty sure my chemistry professor used this exact joke when explaining how to order things in ionic compounds. So I guess the joke works when you're explaining how not to do it.

3

6DrNobody9 t1_j4w55zl wrote

Or rather more electronegative element is written last although there are some exceptions like NH3..

1

enirgin t1_j4xaog4 wrote

That's just Ionist thinking. Broaden your mind!

1