Figure 1.4
Click the playbutton to view the mineral structure of sylvite.
Naturally-occurring potassium chloride is the mineral species sylvite, which is used as a salt substitute (though it has a rather bitter taste!). The Potassium (K) atom has lost one of its electrons, so it has an overall (+) charge. The Chlorine (Cl) atom has gained an electron, which makes ita negative ion, or anion. The two ions bond together in the mineral structure because their opposite charges attract.
Photo of the mineral sylvite.
