The thermal stability of the group II carbonates from magnesium to barium
Correct answer: C. increases down the group
- A. decreases down the group
- B. is the same for all
- C. increases down the group
- D. first increases then decreases
Explanation
A small, highly charged cation polarises the carbonate ion strongly and weakens the carbon to oxygen bonds, so magnesium carbonate decomposes at a relatively low temperature while barium carbonate needs a much higher one. Polarising power falls as the cation gets larger down the group, so stability rises. The nitrates and hydroxides follow the same pattern for the same reason.
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About Reactions of Group II Elements
Group II reactions cover the behaviour of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium with water, oxygen, halogens, acids and nitrogen. The trends in reactivity, hydroxide solubility and basicity, along with the thermal decomposition of carbonates and nitrates, depend on increasing atomic size down the group.
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