How Many Moles of KClO3 Are Needed to Produce 36.6 Moles of O2

Introduction to the Reaction and Key Concepts

Understanding the process of producing oxygen through the thermal decomposition of compounds is fundamental in various fields, including industrial processes and educational settings. One common compound used for this purpose is potassium chlorate (KClO3), which decomposes upon heating to yield potassium chloride (KCl) and oxygen (O2). This article will explore how to calculate the amount of KClO3 required to produce a specific amount of O2.

The Chemical Reaction

The decomposition of KClO3 can be described by the following chemical equation:

2KClO3 → 2KCl 3O2

Stoichiometric Analysis

Stoichiometry is the science of measuring the quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions. The balanced equation shows a clear mole ratio between KClO3 and O2. Specifically, 2 moles of KClO3 produce 3 moles of O2. This relationship is crucial for solving the problem at hand.

Calculating the Required Moles of KClO3

To find out how many moles of KClO3 are needed to produce 36.6 moles of O2, we can use the mole ratio derived from the balanced equation. The mole ratio between KClO3 and O2 is 2:3. Therefore, we can set up the following proportion:

Moles of KClO3 required (2/3) × Moles of O2 produced

Substituting the given quantity of O2 (36.6 moles) into the equation:

Moles of KClO3 required (2/3) × 36.6 24.4 moles

This calculation shows that 24.4 moles of KClO3 are needed to produce 36.6 moles of O2.

Practical Applications and Considerations

The thermal decomposition of KClO3 is a common industrial process used for large-scale oxygen production. This method is also useful in smaller scale applications, such as generating oxygen in remote locations or for laboratory experiments. However, it's important to consider several factors, including the purity of the starting material, the efficiency of the reaction, and the safety aspects associated with handling and disposing of the products and the reaction byproducts.

Conclusion

In summary, the decomposition of 36.6 moles of O2 requires 24.4 moles of KClO3 when the reaction is carried out in an ideal, perfectly balanced environment. This stoichiometric calculation is a fundamental concept in chemical reactions and is widely applicable to both educational and industrial contexts.