Chapter 9.1, Problem 3PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The word equation and the skeleton equation for the reaction of solid potassium chlorate to yield potassium chloride and oxygen gas on heating needs to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Word equation for a reaction is the equation in which chemical reaction is shown with the help of the chemical names. Skeleton equation is the way of writing chemical reaction taking the help of chemical formulas that represent substances taking part in the reaction.

Answer to Problem 3PP

Word equation is,

$\text{Potassium}\text{chlorate}\text{(}s\text{)}\stackrel{\text{Heat}}{\to }\text{Potassium}\text{chloride}(s)\text{+Oxygen}\text{(}g\text{)}$

Skeleton equation is,

${\text{KClO}}_{\text{3}}(s)\stackrel{\text{Heat}}{\to }\text{KCl}\text{(}s{\text{)+O}}_2(g)$

Explanation of Solution

The given reaction is the heating of solid potassium chlorate gives product potassium chloride and oxygen.

So, the word equation is,

$\text{Potassium}\text{chlorate}\text{(}s\text{)}\stackrel{\text{Heat}}{\to }\text{Potassium}\text{chloride}(s)\text{+Oxygen}\text{(}g\text{)}$

The valency of potassium (K) ion is +1 and the chlorate $\left({\text{ClO}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ ion is -1. So, the chemical formula of potassium chlorate is ${\text{KClO}}_{\text{3}}$.

The valency of potassium (K) ion is +1 and the chloride $\left(\text{Cl}\right)$ ion is -1. So, the formula of potassium chloride is $\text{KCl}$.

The chemical formula of oxygen is ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$.

So, the skeleton equation is,

${\text{KClO}}_{\text{3}}(s)\stackrel{\text{Heat}}{\to }\text{KCl}\text{(}s{\text{)+O}}_2(g)$

Conclusion

Both skeleton and word equation for a reaction can be determined if the reactants and products are known.