How do the carbonates of alkali and alkaline earth metals differ?
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Solution
The difference between the carbonates of alkali and alkaline earth metals:
Carbonates of alkaline earth metals
Carbonates of alkali metals
Carbonates of alkaline earth metals decompose to form oxide when heated to high temperatures.
Carbonates of alkali metals do not decompose.
The carbonates of the alkaline earth metals also react with aqueous hydrochloric acid to give and .
Carbonates of alkali metals do not show such a type of reaction.
The carbonates of the heavier alkaline earth metals are quite insoluble because of the higher lattice energy due to the doubly charged cation and anion.
This property is not shown by the carbonates of alkali metals