Consider the alkaline earth metal carbonates: , , , , . How many of these can be kept completely sta — s Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Due to its exceptionally small size, $Be^{2+}$ strongly polarizes $CO_3^{2-}$, making $BeCO_3$ extremely unstable thermodynamically. It decomposes at room temperature in air and must be stored in an atmosphere of $CO_2$. The other 4 carbonates ($Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba$) are sufficiently stable to be kept in normal air.