Question

Name the carbonate which does not decompose by heating.

Answer 1

Carbonates

• Carbonates are the compounds having molecular formula (MCO3).
• The carbonates of alkaline earth metal ( group $(II)$ ) on heating forms carbon dioxide and metal oxide.

For example: $\underset{Magnesiumcarbonate}{MgC{O}_3\left(s\right)}\stackrel{Heat}{\to }\underset{Magnesiumoxide}{MgO\left(s\right)}+\underset{Carbondioxide}{C{O}_2\left(g\right)}$

Magnesium carbonate( group$(II)$ element) decomposes when heated to give magnesium oxide and carbon dioxide. Thus, it will form its respective metal oxide carbon dioxide will be evolved.

• Salt of weak acid and a weak base decomposes on heating.
• On the other hand in alkali metals (group $(I)$) , the carbonates formed do not decomposes on heating as they are thermally stable.
• Sodium and potassium both are very reactive metals , thus, their carbonates are very stable and require a high temperature to decompose into their respective metal oxides and carbon dioxide.

Sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate are the two carbonates which does not decompose when heated.