Group 2: Alkaline earth metals

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1. By comparing the ease of decomposition of Li₂O₃ with K₃CO₃ and MgCO₃ with BaCO₃, describe the trend in thermal stability of the carbonates in descending the Group?
 
2.Which of the Group I carbonates resembled those of Group II in thermal decomposition?
 
3. Could you explain to me the trends of the thermal stability across a Period and down a Group?
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Corrie writes .....
 
1. Li₂O₃ decomposes more easily than K₂CO₃ when heated, and MgCO₃ more easily than BaCO₃. I'll leave you to figure out the trend down a Group from that.
 
3. As regards your third question about trends in thermal stability across a Period and down a Group, the trend down a Group has already been dealt with in Q.1. As regards the trend across a Period, the thermal stability (of carbonates) decreases as you go from Group 1->2->3 metals.
 
2. You should also be able to answer your second question now.
 

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updated: 31 March 2008