Potassium trioxochlorate (V) undergoes thermal decomposition according to the fotpowing equation: 2KCIO\(_3\) \(\to\) 2KCI + 3O\(_2\)
(a) What substance could be used in the laboratory to in ease the rate of the reaction
(ii) absorb the oxygen produced
(b) Give the reason why an aqueous solution of silver trioxonitrate (V) gives a white precipitate with KCI but not with KClO\(_3\).
Explanation
(a) (i) The substance that can be used is manganese (iv) oxide
(ii) The substance used is alkaline pyrogallol.
(b) The precipitate is silver chloride. In KCI, there is free chloride ion to form the precipithte but in KCIO\(_3\), the chlorine atom is a complex. Therefore, it is not available to react with silver ion to form the precipitate.