Explanation:

The number of degrees of a system is defined as the minimum number of variables required to specify the state of the system. In simple terms, it is the number of independent ways in which the system can change its state.

For the given reaction, KClO3(s) → 2KCl(s) + 3O2(g), we can calculate the number of degrees of the system as follows:

1. Number of components: A component is defined as a chemically independent species present in the system. In this reaction, we have three components: KClO3, KCl, and O2.

2. Number of phases: A phase is defined as a physically distinct and homogeneous part of a system that is separated from other parts by interfaces. In this reaction, we have two phases: solid (KClO3 and KCl) and gas (O2).

3. Number of degrees of freedom: The number of degrees of freedom is defined as the number of variables that can be independently varied to specify the state of the system. For a system at constant pressure and temperature, the number of degrees of freedom is given by:

F = C - P + 2

where F is the number of degrees of freedom, C is the number of components, and P is the number of phases.

Using this formula, we can calculate the number of degrees of freedom for the given reaction as:

F = 3 - 2 + 2 = 3

Therefore, the number of degrees of the system is 3, which means that the system can change its state in three independent ways.