10. Which type of reaction is exemplified by the chemical equation KClO₃ → KCl + O₂?
Answer: D
Decomposition
The chemical equation KClO₃ → KCl + O₂ exemplifies a decomposition reaction, where a single compound breaks down into two or more products.
A) Single replacement
A single replacement reaction involves one element displacing another in a compound, typically represented as A + BC → AC + B. Since the given equation involves the breakdown of potassium chlorate into potassium chloride and oxygen without any element displacing another, this option is incorrect.
B) Double replacement
In a double replacement reaction, two compounds exchange ions or bonds to form two new compounds, represented as AB + CD → AD + CB. The provided equation does not involve the exchange of components between two compounds, thus rendering this option incorrect.
C) Combustion
A combustion reaction typically involves a substance reacting with oxygen to produce heat and light, often forming carbon dioxide and water. The equation given does not depict a combustion process since it does not involve the reaction of a fuel with oxygen, making this option incorrect as well.
D) Decomposition
This reaction corresponds to a decomposition reaction, where a single compound, potassium chlorate (KClO₃), breaks down into simpler products: potassium chloride (KCl) and oxygen gas (O₂). This aligns perfectly with the definition of decomposition, confirming this option as correct.
Conclusion
The reaction KClO₃ → KCl + O₂ is definitively a decomposition reaction, as it showcases the breakdown of one compound into two distinct products. All other options fail to match the characteristics of the reaction presented, focusing instead on processes that involve element displacements or exchanges, which do not occur in this equation.