Question

The following compounds have been arranged in order of their increasing thermal stabilities. Identify the correct order

K₂CO₃ (I) MgCO₃ (II) CaCO₃ (III),BeCO₃ (IV)

(a) I < II < III < IV

(b) IV < II < III < I

(c) IV < II < I < III

(d) II < IV < III < I

Answer 1

The correct option (b) IV < II < III < I

Explanation:

on increasing the size of alkaline earth metal ions, stability of their  carbonate salts increases due to increasing polarity, Alkali metal carbonates are more stable than carbonates of alkaline earth metals due to their higher polar characters, Thus, correct order of stability

BeCO₃(s) < MgCO₃(s) < CaCO₃(s) < K₂CO₃(s)

IV < II < III < I