Question

A chemical equation is shown below. KNO3 → KNO2 + O2 What are the coefficients that should be added to balance this equation? Use complete sentences to explain your answer. Explain how this chemical reaction demonstrates the conservation of mass.

Answer 1

Answer:

Part 1: 2KNO3 → 2KNO2 + O2 is the balanced equation.

Part 2: The conversation of mass that demonstrates that there is  no detectable change in the total quantity of matter present in the

Explanation:

Part 1: To balance a chemical equation, the number of atoms in the reactants and the products must be equal. So, the coefficient 2 added before KNO3 and KNO2 to balance the equation.

2KNO3 → 2KNO2 + O2

Part 2:

This chemical reaction demonstrates the conversation of mass that demonstrates that there is  no detectable change in the total quantity of matter present when chemical change occurs (matter converts from one type to another) or physical change occurs (changes among solid, liquid, or gaseous states).

This is clear in the balanced equation.

Answer 2

Answer: The coefficient '2' must be added infront of $KNO_3$ and $KNO_2$ in order to balance a chemical reaction.

Explanation:

Law of conservation of mass states that the mass can neither be created nor be destroyed, but it can only be transformed from one form to another. It always remain conserved.

In a chemical reaction, the number of individual atoms on the reactant side must be equal to the number of individual atoms on the product side. All the balanced chemical reactions follow law of conservation of mass.

For the given chemical reaction, the balanced equation follows:

$2KNO_3\rightarrow 2KNO_2+O_2$

On reactant side:

Number of potassium atoms = 2

Number of nitrogen atoms = 2

Number of oxygen atoms = 6

On product side:

Number of potassium atoms = 2

Number of nitrogen atoms = 2

Number of oxygen atoms = 6

Thus, the coefficient '2' must be added infront of $KNO_3$ and $KNO_2$ in order to balance a chemical reaction.