Multiple choice

Which of the following statements are FALSE?

  1. Thermal stability of alkaline earth metal carbonate increases down the group.
  2. Thermal stability of alkaline earth metal oxides decreases down the group.
  3. Solubility of alkaline earth metal hydroxides in water decreases down the group.
  4. Solubility of alkaline earth metal carbonates in water increases down the group.

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 1 and 4

  3. 2 and 3

  4. 2 and 4

  5. 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Both are false statements. Among alkaline earth metal hydroxides, the anion being common the cationic radius will influence the lattice enthalpy. Since lattice enthalpy decreases much more than the hydration enthalpy with increasing ionic size, the solubility increases on moving down the group. The size of anions being much larger compared to cations, the lattice enthalpy will remain almost constant within a particular group. Since the hydration enthalpies decrease down the group, solubility of alkaline earth metal carbonates will decrease.

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