The thermal stability of metal carbonates depends on the polarizing power of the metal cation. A cation with high polarizing power distorts the large carbonate electron cloud (CO32−), making it easier for the compound to decompose into a metal oxide and carbon dioxide on heating.
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Alkaline Earth Metal Carbonates: As we move down Group 2 from Be to Ca, the ionic size increases (Be2+<Mg2+<Ca2+). This decreases the polarizing power of the cation, thereby increasing the thermal stability of the carbonate. Hence, the order is: BeCO3<MgCO3<CaCO3.
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Alkali vs. Alkaline Earth Metals: Alkali metal cations (like K+) have a lower charge (+1) and larger ionic radius compared to alkaline earth metals. Thus, their polarizing power is much lower. As a result, alkali metal carbonates (except Li2CO3) are highly stable towards heat and generally do not decompose easily (they melt instead). Therefore, K2CO3 is the most thermally stable compound among the given choices.
The correct increasing order of thermal stability is: BeCO3<MgCO3<CaCO3<K2CO3.