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This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

ClVII + 8 e- → Cl-I (reduction)

4 O-II - 8 e- → 4 O0 (oxidation)

KClO4 is an oxidizing agent, KClO4 is a reducing agent.

Word equation

potassium perchlorate → potassium chloride + oxygen

Input interpretation

KClO4 → KCl + O2

 Potassium perchlorate potassium chloride oxygen 

Balanced equation

Balance the chemical equation algebraically:

KClO4 → KCl + O2

Add stoichiometric coefficients, c, to the reactants and products:

c1KClO4 → c2 KCl + c3O2

Set the number of atoms in the reactants equal to the number of atoms in the products for Cl, K and O:

Cl: c1 = c2

K: c1 = c2

O: 4c1 = 2c3

Since the coefficients are relative quantities and underdetermined, choose a coefficient to set arbitrarily. To keep the coefficients small, the arbitrary value is ordinarily one. For instance, set c1 = 1 and solve the system of equations for the remaining coefficients:

c1 = 1 c2=1

c3=2

Substitute the coefficients into the chemical reaction to obtain the balanced

equation:

Answer:

KClO4 → KCl + O2