Thermal Stability of gp1 and 2 carbonates.
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Thermal Stabilty

Thermal Stability is the decomposition of a compound on heating. The higher the temperature needed to decompose something, the more thermally stable it is.

• In group 1 and 2, the nitrates and carbonates get more stable down the group.

• Li₂CO_3(s) --> Li₂O_(s) + CO_2(g) The rest of group 1 follow the same pattern. (substitute Na, K etc where Li is).

• MgCO_3(s) -->; MgO_(s) + CO_2(g) The rest of Group 2 follow the same pattern.

• Only lithium carbonate and group 2 carbonates decompose (in bunsen flame, 1300K). All other group 1 carbonates are stable in bunsen flame. Both group 1 and group 2 nitrates decompose.

• Group 1 nitrates except lithium decompose to form nitrites and oxygen gas. The group 1 cation except Li can form a stable lattice with the large nitrite ion, but group 2 cations are smaller due to higher charge density, and the lattice is unstable.

• Li acts as a group 2 ion because it is also very small. Li and group 2 nitrates therefore decompose to oxides, nitrogen gas and oxygen gas.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Acid Base Character of Period 3 Oxides
2. Acid-Base Character of Group 4 Oxides
3. Covalent Radius
4. Defintions: Electrophile, nucleophile, radical
5. Equations of reactions of period 3 elements with oxygen and chlorine.
6. Ionization Energy and Electron Affinity
7. Ionization Energy and Electron Affinity 2
8. Thermal Stability of gp1 and 2 carbonates.

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