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Question
Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following compounds of the alkali metals with those of the alkaline earth metals.
Carbonates
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Solution
Thermal stability
The carbonates of alkali metals are stable towards heat. However, carbonate of lithium, when heated, decomposes to form lithium oxide. The carbonates of alkaline earth metals also decompose on heating to form oxide and carbon dioxide.
\[\ce{Na2CO3 ->\Delta No effects}\]
\[\ce{Li2CO3 ->\Delta Li2O + CO2}\]
\[\ce{MgCO3 ->[\Delta] MgO + CO2}\]
Solubility
Carbonates of alkali metals are soluble in water with the exception of Li2CO3. Also, the solubility increases as we move down the group.
Carbonates of alkaline earth metals are insoluble in water.
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