Which of the following statements correctly describes the chemical equation: 2KClO_3(s) → 2KCl(s) + 3O_2(g)?

• A. The equation is not balanced; chlorine atoms are missing on the product side.
• B. The equation is not balanced; potassium atoms are not equal on both sides.
• C. The equation is balanced with respect to both mass and charge.
• D. The equation is not balanced; there are more oxygen atoms on the reactant side.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical species on both sides of the equation: reactants are 2KClO_3(s), products are 2KCl(s) and 3O_2(g).
2. Count the number of atoms of each element on the reactant side: potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), and oxygen (O). For 2KClO_3, multiply each atom count by 2.
3. Count the number of atoms of each element on the product side: for 2KCl, multiply K and Cl by 2; for 3O_2, multiply oxygen atoms by 3 × 2 (since O_2 has 2 oxygen atoms).
4. Compare the total number of atoms of each element on both sides to check if they are equal, which confirms if the equation is balanced in terms of mass.
5. Verify that the charges on both sides are equal. Since all species are neutral compounds or elements, the charge balance is inherently maintained.