Question

#3 - balance this chemical equation on your own
__ naclo₃ → nacl + __ o₂

Explanation:

Step1: Balance Na and Cl atoms

Both Na and Cl are already balanced 1:1 on both sides, so start with coefficient 1 for $\text{NaClO}_3$ and $\text{NaCl}$:
$1\text{NaClO}_3
ightarrow 1\text{NaCl} + \_\_\text{O}_2$

Step2: Balance oxygen atoms

Left side has 3 O atoms. Right side $\text{O}_2$ has 2 O atoms. Use $\frac{3}{2}$ as coefficient for $\text{O}_2$ to balance O:
$1\text{NaClO}_3
ightarrow 1\text{NaCl} + \frac{3}{2}\text{O}_2$

Step3: Eliminate fractional coefficients

Multiply all coefficients by 2 to get whole numbers:
$2\text{NaClO}_3
ightarrow 2\text{NaCl} + 3\text{O}_2$

Step4: Verify atom counts

Left: 2 Na, 2 Cl, 6 O; Right: 2 Na, 2 Cl, 6 O. All atoms balanced.

Answer:

$2\text{NaClO}_3
ightarrow 2\text{NaCl} + 3\text{O}_2$
(The coefficients are 2, 2, 3 respectively)