# Potassium iodate, KIO3, can be heated until it decomposes with loss of O2 to form potassium...

## Question:

Potassium iodate, {eq}KIO_{3} {/eq}, can be heated until it decomposes with loss of {eq}O_{2} {/eq} to form potassium iodide, {eq}Kl {/eq}. Write a balanced equation for this reaction

## Balancing Chemical Equations:

Balancing chemical equations refers to the process wherein the coefficients of the substances are adjusted in order to have the number of atoms per element on each substance is equal on both sides. This would be very useful in order to compute the correct parameters of the substances.

Express the balanced chemical equation for the reaction. We do this by considering that the reactant is {eq}\displaystyle KIO_3 {/eq}, and it produces {eq}\displaystyle O_2 {/eq} and {eq}\displaystyle KI {/eq}. Now, we balance the resulting equation by adjusting the coefficients of the substances until the atoms per element on each side of the equation becomes equal. We proceed with the solution.

{eq}\begin{align} \displaystyle KIO_3 &\to KI + O_2\\[0.3cm] \text{Balance O.}\\[0.3cm] KIO_3 &\to KI + \frac{3}{2}O_2\\[0.3cm] \end{align} {/eq}

Therefore, the balanced chemical equation is

{eq}\displaystyle \boxed{KIO_3 \to KI + \frac{3}{2}O_2} {/eq}

Balanced Chemical Equation: Definition & Examples

from

Chapter 10 / Lesson 18
880K

A chemical equation shows the chemical formulas of substances that are reacting and the substances that are produced. The number of atoms of the reactants and products need to be balanced. In this lesson, we will discuss balancing chemical equations.