Fill In The Blank With The Correct Number To Balance The Equation:\[$_KClO_3 \rightarrow 2KCl + 3O_2\$\].(Enter Only A Whole Number.)
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Introduction
Chemical equations are a fundamental concept in chemistry, representing the transformation of one or more substances into another. However, these equations are not always balanced, meaning that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side does not match the number of atoms on the product side. In this article, we will focus on balancing the chemical equation for the decomposition of potassium chlorate (KClO3) into potassium chloride (KCl) and oxygen gas (O2).
Understanding the Chemical Equation
The given chemical equation is:
$_KClO_3 \rightarrow 2KCl + 3O_2$
This equation represents the decomposition of potassium chlorate into potassium chloride and oxygen gas. However, as it stands, the equation is not balanced. To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side.
Balancing the Equation
To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients in front of the formulas of the reactants and products. The coefficients are numbers that indicate the number of molecules of each substance that participate in the reaction.
Let's start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation:
Reactant side:
- Potassium (K): 1
- Chlorine (Cl): 1
- Oxygen (O): 3
Product side:
- Potassium (K): 2
- Chlorine (Cl): 2
- Oxygen (O): 6
As we can see, the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side does not match the number of atoms on the product side. To balance the equation, we need to add coefficients in front of the formulas of the reactants and products.
Step 1: Balance the Potassium Atoms
To balance the potassium atoms, we need to add a coefficient of 2 in front of the formula of potassium chlorate (KClO3). This will ensure that there are 2 potassium atoms on the reactant side, matching the number of potassium atoms on the product side.
$_2KClO_3 \rightarrow 2KCl + 3O_2$
Step 2: Balance the Chlorine Atoms
The number of chlorine atoms on the reactant side is now 2, matching the number of chlorine atoms on the product side. However, we need to ensure that the number of oxygen atoms on the reactant side matches the number of oxygen atoms on the product side.
Step 3: Balance the Oxygen Atoms
To balance the oxygen atoms, we need to add a coefficient of 3 in front of the formula of oxygen gas (O2). This will ensure that there are 9 oxygen atoms on the reactant side, matching the number of oxygen atoms on the product side.
$_2KClO_3 \rightarrow 2KCl + 3O_2$
However, we can simplify this by realizing that the 3 in front of the O2 is actually the coefficient we need to balance the oxygen atoms. Therefore, we can rewrite the equation as:
$_2KClO_3 \rightarrow 2KCl + 5O_2$
This equation is now balanced, with the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side matching the number of atoms on the product side.
Conclusion
Balancing chemical equations is an essential skill in chemistry, and it requires a thorough understanding of the chemical reaction and the number of atoms of each element involved. By following the steps outlined in this article, we can balance the chemical equation for the decomposition of potassium chlorate into potassium chloride and oxygen gas. The balanced equation is:
$_2KClO_3 \rightarrow 2KCl + 5O_2$
This equation represents the correct number of atoms of each element on the reactant and product sides, ensuring that the equation is balanced and accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations? A: Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side, making the equation accurate and useful for predicting the outcome of a chemical reaction.
Q: How do I balance a chemical equation? A: To balance a chemical equation, you need to add coefficients in front of the formulas of the reactants and products. Start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation, and then add coefficients to ensure that the number of atoms on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side.
Q: What is the coefficient in a chemical equation?
A: The coefficient in a chemical equation is a number that indicates the number of molecules of each substance that participate in the reaction. Coefficients are used to balance the equation and ensure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side.
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Introduction
Balancing chemical equations is a crucial skill in chemistry, and it requires a thorough understanding of the chemical reaction and the number of atoms of each element involved. In this article, we will provide a Q&A guide to help you understand the concept of balancing chemical equations and how to apply it in different situations.
Q&A
Q: What is the purpose of balancing chemical equations?
A: The purpose of balancing chemical equations is to ensure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side. This makes the equation accurate and useful for predicting the outcome of a chemical reaction.
Q: How do I balance a chemical equation?
A: To balance a chemical equation, you need to add coefficients in front of the formulas of the reactants and products. Start by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation, and then add coefficients to ensure that the number of atoms on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side.
Q: What is the coefficient in a chemical equation?
A: The coefficient in a chemical equation is a number that indicates the number of molecules of each substance that participate in the reaction. Coefficients are used to balance the equation and ensure that the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side.
Q: How do I know when a chemical equation is balanced?
A: A chemical equation is balanced when the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side. You can check this by counting the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation.
Q: What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced chemical equation?
A: A balanced chemical equation has the same number of atoms of each element on the reactant side as on the product side, while an unbalanced chemical equation has a different number of atoms of each element on the reactant side than on the product side.
Q: Can a chemical equation be balanced in more than one way?
A: Yes, a chemical equation can be balanced in more than one way. However, only one of these ways is correct, and it is the one that has the same number of atoms of each element on the reactant side as on the product side.
Q: How do I determine the correct coefficient for a chemical equation?
A: To determine the correct coefficient for a chemical equation, you need to count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation and then add coefficients to ensure that the number of atoms on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side.
Q: What is the importance of balancing chemical equations in chemistry?
A: Balancing chemical equations is important in chemistry because it allows us to predict the outcome of a chemical reaction and to understand the chemical properties of substances. It also helps us to identify the reactants and products of a chemical reaction and to determine the amount of each substance that is required.
Q: Can balancing chemical equations be used to solve problems in other fields?
A: Yes, balancing chemical equations can be used to solve problems in other fields, such as physics, biology, and engineering. It is a fundamental concept that is used in many different areas of science and technology.
Conclusion
Balancing chemical equations is a crucial skill in chemistry, and it requires a thorough understanding of the chemical reaction and the number of atoms of each element involved. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can learn how to balance a chemical equation and apply it in different situations. Remember, balancing chemical equations is an essential tool for predicting the outcome of a chemical reaction and for understanding the chemical properties of substances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a balanced and unbalanced chemical equation? A: A balanced chemical equation has the same number of atoms of each element on the reactant side as on the product side, while an unbalanced chemical equation has a different number of atoms of each element on the reactant side than on the product side.
Q: Can a chemical equation be balanced in more than one way? A: Yes, a chemical equation can be balanced in more than one way. However, only one of these ways is correct, and it is the one that has the same number of atoms of each element on the reactant side as on the product side.
Q: How do I determine the correct coefficient for a chemical equation? A: To determine the correct coefficient for a chemical equation, you need to count the number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation and then add coefficients to ensure that the number of atoms on the reactant side matches the number of atoms on the product side.
Q: What is the importance of balancing chemical equations in chemistry? A: Balancing chemical equations is important in chemistry because it allows us to predict the outcome of a chemical reaction and to understand the chemical properties of substances. It also helps us to identify the reactants and products of a chemical reaction and to determine the amount of each substance that is required.