Final answer:
The thermal decomposition of potassium nitrate (KNO3) yields potassium nitrite and oxygen gas, whereas heating ammonium carbonate leads to the production of ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked to write the equations for the action of heat on potassium nitrate (KNO3) and ammonium carbonate ((NH4)2CO3). When heated, potassium nitrate decomposes into potassium nitrite (KNO2) and oxygen gas (O2), represented by the equation:
2 KNO3(s) → 2 KNO2(s) + O2(g)
Ammonium carbonate decomposes upon heating to produce ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O), which can be represented by the equation:
(NH4)2CO3(s) → 2 NH3(g) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)