Potassium Chlorate Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Potassium has the symbol K. Its atomic number is 19. It’s electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹. Belonging to the fourth period, first group, it is a silvery-white element. It can be found naturally as minerals and salt. It helps your nerves function and muscles contract. It is most commonly used for treating and preventing low potassium levels. Potassium was discovered by Sir Humphry Davy in the year of 1807. Chlorine has the symbol Cl. It’s atomic number is 17. It’s electronic configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁵. Chlorine is commonly used as an antiseptic to kill bacteria and is also used for drinking water safe. Chlorine is used in many industrial processes, paper products, plastics, textiles, and medicines. Oxygen has the symbol O. Its atomic number is 8, and its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁴. It is a member of the chalcogen group in the periodic table. It is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, diatomic gas consisting of 21% of the atmosphere. It plays a critical role in respiration. The primary applications of oxygen include refining, melting, and manufacturing steel along with other metals.

Potassium Chlorate

Potassium Chlorate is an inorganic compound it contains one atom of potassium, one atom of chlorine, and three atoms of oxygen, and its molecular formula is KCLO₃. It is a strong oxidizing agent. It looks like a white crystalline solid. In industrial use, it is the second most chlorate. It is crystalline salt with a cooling saline taste that is used especially in veterinary medicine as a mild astringent. It is a more potent oxidizer than potassium perchlorate. It is commonly used as an oxidizer in pyrotechnics. The potassium chlorate is commonly made from household bleach and salt substitute.

Structure of Potassium Chlorate

Potassium Chlorate is an inorganic compound it contains one atom of potassium, one atom of chlorine, and three atoms of oxygen, and its molecular formula is KCLO₃.

Physical Properties of Potassium Chlorate

• Potassium Chlorate has a molar mass of 122.55g/ml
• It has a density of 2.34 g/cm³
• Its melting point is 400°C
• Its boiling point is 356°C

Chemical Properties of Potassium Chlorate

• Potassium chlorate is a colorless solid and soluble in water
• It is soluble in glycerol and insoluble in many organic solvents
• It has a variety of polar solvents
• When heated in the presence of a manganese dioxide catalyst, it decomposes and forms potassium chloride and oxygen gas.                                                                                                                                                         

2 KCLO₃ ⇢ 2 KCL + 3 O₂

• Potassium Chlorate reacts with sugar in the presence of sulfuric acid it releasing a large amount of heat energy in purplish flame and a great deal of smoke.

C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ + 8 KCLO₃ ⇢ 12 CO₂ + 11 H₂O + 8 KCL + heat

Uses of Potassium Chlorate

1. Potassium Chlorate is used as an oxidizing agent in explosives, matches, textile printing, and bleaches.
2. It is used in pharmaceuticals and veterinary medicine.
3. It is used as both, an antiseptic and astringent.
4. It is commonly used as an oxidizer in pyrotechnics.
5. It is used for producing oxygen gas. 

Sample Questions

Question 1: Why is potassium chlorate used in matches?

Answer:

The safety matches’ head are made of oxidizing agents like potassium chlorate, with sulfur, fillers, and glass powder. The phosphorus sulfide is ignited easily, and then it decomposes to give oxygen, which causes the phosphorus sulfide to burn even more.

Question 2: What is the difference between potassium chlorate and potassium chloride?

Answer:

The formula for potassium chlorate is Kclo₃. The formula for potassium chloride is Kcl. So the main difference is potassium chlorate has three molecules in addition to the chloride ion. Potassium chlorate is an oxidizing agent in explosives, matches, textile printing, and bleaches. Potassium chloride is used in food preparation

Question  3: What are the uses of chlorine? 

Answer:

Chlorine has a variety of uses. It is used as a bleaching agent during the production of cloth and paper. It is used to disinfect water and is part of the sanitization process for sewage and industrial waste. Chlorine is dissolved in water so it is used in household bleach 

Question 4: What are the facts and uses of oxygen?

Answer:

Oxygen is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, diatomic gas consisting of 21% of the atmosphere. It plays a critical role in respiration. Oxygen is a very reactive element that likes to bind with other elements and easily forms compounds such as oxides is called oxidation. Oxygen is used in the production of steel plastics and textiles, welding, and cutting of steel and other metals.

Question 5: What is potassium called on blood testing?

Answer: 

To check potassium levels in your body by conducting blood testing, which is used to diagnose high potassium levels is called hyperkalemia, or low potassium, which is called hypokalemia in some cases, urine testing is needed to determine why levels are low. Normally your potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter.

Question 6: Potassium Chlorate consists of how much percentage of potassium?

Answer:

Potassium Chlorate is an inorganic compound it contains one atom of potassium, one atom of chlorine, and three atoms of oxygen. It is the most widely applied potassium fertilizer because of its relatively low cost and because it includes more potassium than most other sources. It contains 50 to 52 percent of potassium.