Question

The metal carbonate which decomposes easily on heating is:

• A. $N{a}_{2}C{O}_3$
• B. $BaC{O}_3$
• C. $BeC{O}_3$
• D. $K_{2}C{O}_3$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $BeC{O}_3$

Beryllium carbonate $BeC{O}_3$ decomposes easily on heating due to following two factors:
(1) The small $B{e}^{2+}$ ion has high polarisation power and the carbonate ion has high polarisability.
(2) It rapidly decomposes to $BeO\left(s\right)$ and $C{O}_2\left(g\right)$. The decomposition product, i.e., beryllium oxide has high stability due to tight packing of $B{e}^{2+}$ ion and oxide ion.