Final answer:
The decomposition of a metal chlorate upon heating typically yields a metal chloride and oxygen gas, as exemplified by the reaction where potassium chlorate decomposes into potassium chloride and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a metal chlorate is heated, it decomposes to yield a metal chloride and oxygen. For example, solid potassium chlorate decomposes on heating to form solid KCl and oxygen gas. This type of reaction is a common decomposition reaction in chemistry, where a compound breaks down into simpler substances when heated.
In general, the metal and the accompanying nonmetal in the chlorate are separated, where the metal aligns with chlorine to form the metal chloride and the oxygen is released as a gas. Notably, the chemical reaction for the decomposition of potassium chlorate (KClO3) is: 2 KClO₃(s) → 2 KCl(s) + 3O₂(g). This demonstrates the production of oxygen upon the decomposition of a chlorate.