Question

How can I balance this equation? ____ KClO3 ---> ____ KCl + ____ O2

Answer 1

__ KClO₃ → __ KCl + __ O₂

Left Side:
1 K
1 Cl
3 O

Right Side:
1 K
1 Cl
2 O

Since the least common multiple of 3 and 2 is 6, we need to multiply the compound with 2 oxygen by 3 and the compound with 3 oxygen by 2.

This gives us 2KClO₃ → __ KCl + 3O₂.

However, this equation is still not balanced.

Left Side:
2 K
2 Cl
6 O

Right Side:
1 K
1 Cl
6 O

In order to balance the K and Cl, we need to multiply the KCl compound on the right side by 2.

2KClO₃ → 2KCl + 3O₂