Step 1: Identify the components of K2CO3. It is made of potassium ions (K+) and carbonate ions (CO3^2-).
Step 2: Recognize that K2CO3 is a salt formed from a weak acid (carbonic acid, H2CO3) and a strong base (potassium hydroxide, KOH).
Step 3: Understand that when K2CO3 dissolves in water, it will produce carbonate ions (CO3^2-), which can react with water to form bicarbonate (HCO3-) and hydroxide ions (OH-).
Step 4: The presence of hydroxide ions (OH-) in the solution indicates that the solution is basic.
Step 5: Estimate the pH of the solution. A 0.1 M solution of K2CO3 typically has a pH around 10, indicating it is basic.
