Rosa was looking for patterns to help predict the products of chemical reactions. She recorded three similar decomposition reactions in the table.

Question

A 2-column table with 3 rows. The first column labeled reactants has entries 2 N a C l O subscript 3, 2 K C l O subscript 3, 2 L i C l O subscript 3. The second column labeled products has entries 2 N a C l + 3 O subscript 2, 3 O subscript 2 + 2 K C l, empty.

What products should she record in the last row of the table?

2LiCl + 3O2
3LiCl + 2O2
2LiO + 3Cl2
3LiO+ 2Cl2

Answer 1

To determine the products of the decomposition reaction of lithium chlorate (LiClO3), we can look at the previous reactions for patterns.

The general decomposition reaction for alkali metal chlorates (like NaClO3 and KClO3) typically produces the corresponding alkali metal chloride and oxygen gas.

Following the pattern from the recorded reactions:

1. Decomposition of Sodium Chlorate:
   • 2 NaClO3 → 2 NaCl + 3 O2
2. Decomposition of Potassium Chlorate:
   • 2 KClO3 → 2 KCl + 3 O2

In both cases, the products included a metal chloride and oxygen.

For Lithium Chlorate (2 LiClO3), applying the same pattern leads us to predict that it decomposes as follows:

• 2 LiClO3 → 2 LiCl + 3 O2

Given this breakdown, the products for the last row should be: 2 LiCl + 3 O2

Therefore, Rosa should record: 2 LiCl + 3 O2 in the last row of the table.