To balance the chemical equation:
[tex]\[
P + O_2 \rightarrow P_4 + O_{10}
\][/tex]
we need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element on both sides of the equation are equal.
1. Balance Phosphorus (P):
On the product side, we have a molecule of \(P_4\), which contains 4 phosphorus atoms.
On the reactant side, to balance the phosphorus atoms, we need to have 4 phosphorus atoms as well. Therefore, we will need 4 molecules of phosphorus:
[tex]\[
4P + O_2 \rightarrow P_4 + O_{10}
\][/tex]
2. Balance Oxygen (O):
On the product side, we have \(O_{10}\), which contains 10 oxygen atoms.
On the reactant side, \(O_2\) contains 2 oxygen atoms per molecule. To balance the oxygen atoms, we need 5 molecules of \(O_2\) (since \(5 \times 2 = 10\)):
[tex]\[
4P + 5O_2 \rightarrow P_4 + O_{10}
\][/tex]
Now, according to the problem, we need to count the number of potassium (K) atoms on the reactant side required to balance the equation. Given that the original equation involves only Phosphorus (P) and Oxygen (O) with no mention of Potassium (K), it could be an oversight or mix-up. If we reinterpret the question as a general approach to phosphorus (P) balancing:
Given that we corrected the incorrect symbol in the context (assuming Potassium was meant to be Phosphorus), the phosphorus atoms are balanced with 4 atoms on the reactant side.
Thus, following this interpretation:
The number of Potassium (K) atoms on the reactant side required to balance the provided chemical equation is:
[tex]\[
\boxed{4}
\][/tex]
