Answer:
2 KCIO₃ → 2 KCI + 3 O₂
Step-by-step explanation:
A chemical equation is balanced when the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation.
You have already identified the initial number of atoms of each element on both sides of the equation. As a rule of thumb, we balance the number of oxygen and hydrogen atoms last.
However, since all the other elements are already balanced, we shall start by balancing the number of oxygen atoms.
The lowest common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6. Thus, we shall ensure that both sides of the equation has 6 oxygen atoms.
2 KCIO₃ → KCI + 3 O₂
Reactants
K --- 2
C--- 2
I --- 2
O --- 6
Products
K --- 1
C --- 1
I --- 1
O --- 6
Notice that number of K, C and I atoms on the left-hand side of the equation has also changed.
2 KCIO₃ → 2 KCI + 3 O₂
Reactants
K --- 2
C --- 2
I --- 2
O --- 6
Products
K --- 2
C --- 2
I --- 2
O --- 6
The equation is now balanced.