Here's how to balance the chemical equation for the decomposition of potassium chlorate (KClO₃) into potassium chloride (KCl) and oxygen gas (O₂):

Unbalanced Equation:

KClO₃ → KCl + O₂

Balancing Steps:

1. Count atoms:

- Reactants: 1 K, 1 Cl, 3 O

- Products: 1 K, 1 Cl, 2 O

2. Balance oxygen:

- There are 3 oxygen atoms on the reactant side and 2 on the product side. To balance, add a coefficient of 2 in front of KClO₃ and a coefficient of 3 in front of O₂:

2 KClO₃ → KCl + 3 O₂

3. Balance potassium and chlorine:

- Now there are 2 potassium and 2 chlorine atoms on the reactant side. To balance, add a coefficient of 2 in front of KCl:

2 KClO₃ → 2 KCl + 3 O₂

Balanced Equation:

2 KClO₃ → 2 KCl + 3 O₂