1. The problem is to balance the chemical equation: 2KNO3 \rightarrow 2KNO3 + 3O2. 2. The general rule for balancing chemical equations is that the number of atoms of each element must be the same on both sides of the equation. 3. Let's analyze the equation: - Left side: 2 molecules of KNO3 - Right side: 2 molecules of KNO3 and 3 molecules of O2 4. Count atoms on each side: - Left: K = 2, N = 2, O = 6 - Right: K = 2, N = 2, O = (2*3) + (3*2) = 6 + 6 = 12 (incorrect) 5. The equation as given is unbalanced because oxygen atoms are not equal. 6. The correct decomposition of potassium nitrate (KNO3) is: $$2KNO_3 \rightarrow 2KNO_2 + O_2$$ 7. This means 2 molecules of potassium nitrate decompose into 2 molecules of potassium nitrite and 1 molecule of oxygen gas. 8. Check atom balance: - Left: K = 2, N = 2, O = 6 - Right: K = 2, N = 2, O = (2*2) + 2 = 4 + 2 = 6 9. The balanced equation is: $$2KNO_3 \rightarrow 2KNO_2 + O_2$$ 10. Therefore, the original equation is incorrect and should be corrected as above.