Oxygen can be produced by the decomposition of potassium chlorate, \(\mathrm{KClO}_{3}\). The products of the reaction are \(\mathrm{KCl}\) and \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\). Write a balanced equation for the reaction.

First, let's write down the unbalanced chemical equation using the chemical formula of the reactants and products: \(\mathrm{KClO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{KCl} + \mathrm{O}_{2}\)

Now, we will balance the equation by adjusting the coefficients (the numbers in front of the chemical formulas) of the reactants and products. 1. Count the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation: Reactant side: - 1 K atom - 1 Cl atom - 3 O atoms Product side: - 1 K atom - 1 Cl atom - 2 O atoms (in one O₂ molecule) 2. Notice that the number of oxygen atoms is not balanced. To balance the oxygen atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of the potassium chlorate molecule: \(2\mathrm{KClO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{KCl} + \mathrm{O}_{2}\) Now, we have: Reactant side: - 2 K atoms - 2 Cl atoms - 6 O atoms 3. To balance the K and Cl atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of the potassium chloride molecule: \(2\mathrm{KClO}_{3} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{KCl} + \mathrm{O}_{2}\) Now, we have: Product side: - 2 K atoms - 2 Cl atoms - 2 O atoms (in one O₂ molecule) * 2 = 4 O atoms 4. Finally, place a coefficient of 3 in front of the oxygen molecule to balance the oxygen atoms: \(2\mathrm{KClO}_{3} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{KCl} + 3\mathrm{O}_{2}\) Now, we have: Product side: - 2 K atoms - 2 Cl atoms - 2 O atoms (in one O₂ molecule) * 3 = 6 O atoms The equation is now balanced, and the final balanced chemical equation is: \(2\mathrm{KClO}_{3} \rightarrow 2\mathrm{KCl} + 3\mathrm{O}_{2}\)