Definition

Noun: * A white salt (KClO₃): A chemical compound that is a white, crystalline substance. It is a powerful oxidizing agent, meaning it readily releases oxygen. This property makes it useful in applications requiring a concentrated source of oxygen, such as in small-scale pyrotechnics and explosives. It also has applications as a disinfectant and bleaching agent due to its reactive nature.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old recipe for match heads contained potassium chlorate.
  • Potassium chlorate should be handled with extreme care in the laboratory.
  • The oxygen released from heated potassium chlorate can support combustion.

Advanced Usage

• Chemical Synthesis and Reactions: In chemistry, potassium chlorate is a common source of oxygen in educational and demonstration experiments, such as the thermal decomposition reaction.
  • The experiment demonstrated the decomposition of potassium chlorate into potassium chloride and oxygen gas.

Variants and Related Words

• Chlorate (n): The general name for salts containing the ClO₃⁻ anion, of which potassium chlorate is a specific example.
• Oxidizer (n): A substance that oxidizes another substance by accepting electrons; a key classification for potassium chlorate.
• KClO₃ (n): The chemical formula for potassium chlorate.

Synonyms

• Potassium salt of chloric acid: A more systematic chemical name.
• Oxidizing salt: Describes its primary chemical function.

Important Safety Note

• Not a Phrasal Verb or Idiom: Due to its nature as a specific chemical compound, "potassium chlorate" does not have associated phrasal verbs or idioms. It is a technical term. Its advanced usage is almost exclusively within scientific, industrial, and regulatory contexts concerning its properties, handling, and applications.

Noun

1. a white salt (KClO3) used in matches, fireworks, and explosives; also used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent