Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): In one formula unit of potash alum, the total number of cations equals the total number of anions, but this equality of numbers is not a necessary condition for its electrical neutrality. Reason (R): For an ionic compound to be electrically neutral, only the total positive charge must equal the tot

Step-by-step solution

The chemical formula of potash alum is K ₂ SO ₄ Al ₂( SO ₄)₃ 24 H ₂ O . In one formula unit, there are 4 cations ( 2 K ^+ and 2 Al ³⁺ ) and 4 anions ( 4 SO ₄²⁻ ). Thus, the number of cations equals the number of anions. However, electrical neutrality simply means that the total positive charge balances the total negative charge. The total positive charge is (2 +1) + (2 +3) = +8 . The total negative charge is 4 -2 = -8 . Charge balance does not require an equal number of particles. For instance, in K ₂ SO ₄ alone, t