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Inorganic Chemistry

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26 Dec 2011 18:39:54 IST

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plzzz help urgent

Chemistry

lithium carbonate decomposes at room temperature but sodium carbonate does not decompose even if we heat it. why>?

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Krishna Gopal Singh

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Joined: 29 Dec 2006

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26 Jan 2012 11:13:14 IST

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Size difference between Lithium ion and carbonate ion is significant. Such a system makes very unstable latice system. To stablise it the carbonate ion decomposes to give smaller oxide ion which can easily for a stable crystal structure with lithium to form stable lithium oxide.

In case of sodium carbonate the bigger sodium ion form stable sodium carbonate crystal. Moreover on decomposition the product will be less stable sodium oxide (you now sodium prefered oxide of sodium is bigger peroxide ion). So sodium carbonate does not decompose even on heating.

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