The decomposition reaction of potassium chlorate KClO3 can be represented by the following chemical equation:2 KClO3 s 2 KCl s + 3 O2 g In this reaction, potassium chlorate breaks down into potassium chloride KCl and oxygen gas O2 .When manganese dioxide MnO2 is used as a catalyst, it speeds up the reaction without being consumed in the process. The chemical equation remains the same, but the reaction occurs more quickly:2 KClO3 s + MnO2 catalyst 2 KCl s + 3 O2 g + MnO2 catalyst The manganese dioxide is not consumed in the reaction, so it appears on both sides of the equation. Its presence lowers the activation energy and increases the rate of the reaction, making it an effective catalyst for the decomposition of potassium chlorate.