Describe your observations when potassium nitrate crystals are heated strongly in a test tube and a glowing splint is healed near the mouth of the test tube. Write a fully balanced chemical equation for the decomposition of potassium nitrate crystals.
When potassium nitrate crystals are heated vigorously in a test tube and a lighted splint is held near the test tube's mouth, the following observations are made:
1. Potassium nitrate's white crystals slowly melt into a colourless liquid.
2. The glowing splint catches fire, showing how molten potassium nitrate emits oxygen gas.
The given reaction is:
3. Potassium nitrate is decomposed by giving heat and produces