The white solid compound A decomposes quite rapidly on heating in the presence of a black substance form a solid compound B and a gas C. When an aqueous solution of compound B is reacted with silver nitrate solution, then a white precipitate of silver chloride is obtained along with potassium nitrate solution. Gas C does not burn itself but helps burn other things.
(a) What is compound A ?
(b) What is compound B ?
(c ) What is gas C ?
(d) What do you think is the black substance X? What is its function ?
(e) What is the general name of substance like X ?

Answer

(a) Potassium chlorate, `KClO_(3)` (b) Potassium chloride, KCl (c ) Oxygen, `O_(2)` (d) Manganese dioxide, `MnO_(2)` ; It acts as a catalyst in the decomposition of patassium chlorate to from oxygen gas (e ) Catalysts