The Periodic Table

The Alkaline Earth Metals  -  Group 2

Thermal Decomposition of Carbonates.
Thermal decomposition means that the
compound breaks down into other substances when it is heated.

Group 2 carbonates will decompose when heated
to give the metal oxide and carbon dioxide gas.
The temperature needed to decompose the carbonate
increases as you go down the group.
Calcium carbonate decomposes
at a higher temperature than magnesium carbonate.

magnesium carbonate  magnesium oxide     +   carbon dioxide.
MgCO_3(s)                           MgO_(s)             +         CO_2(g)

see also calcium carbonate.

Other metal carbonates not in group 2 do the same thing.

See copper carbonate

sodium carbonate

zinc carbonate.

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