How many of the following carbonates do NOT decompose on prolonged strong heating (up to ), but rath — s Block Elements Chemistry Question
Question
How many of the following carbonates do NOT decompose on prolonged strong heating (up to $1000^\circ\text{C}$), but rather melt without chemical breakdown? ($Li_2CO_3$, $Na_2CO_3$, $K_2CO_3$, $Rb_2CO_3$, $Cs_2CO_3$, $MgCO_3$, $CaCO_3$)
Answer: 4
💡 Solution & Explanation
All alkaline earth metal carbonates (like $MgCO_3$, $CaCO_3$) decompose on heating. Lithium carbonate ($Li_2CO_3$) also decomposes. The carbonates of the heavier alkali metals ($Na, K, Rb, Cs$) possess very high thermal stability due to low polarizing power of their cations, so they melt without decomposing. Total = 4.
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