Question

What is happening in the following reaction?

2KClO3 2KCl + 3O2

2 moles of KClO3 decomposes to form 3 moles of product.
1 mole of KClO3 decomposes to form 5 moles of product.
2 moles of KClO3 combusts to form 5 moles of product.
2 moles of KClO3 decomposes to form 5 moles of product.

Answer 1

2 moles of KClO3 decomposes to form 5 moles of product.

Step-by-step explanation:

2 decomposes into 5 because on the left side we have 2 items, and on the right we have 5. It decomposes because on the left there is only 1 kind of molecule, and one the right there are 2.

Here's a tip: whenever there are more kinds of molecules on the left side than right, the answer is combusts. If the opposite is true (more on right than left), it decomposes.

Answer 2

The correct answer would be the last option. From the given reaction,we can say that 2 moles of the KClO3 decomposes forming 5 moles of product which is 2 moles of KCl and 3 moles of O2. A decomposition reaction involves the breaking of a molecule into two or more smaller molecules.