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Provide an example of the thermal stability and reactivity of Group 2 carbonates.

Group 2 carbonates are thermally stable but reactive towards acids.

Group 2 carbonates, such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), are thermally stable compounds that do not decompose easily at high temperatures. This is due to the strong ionic bonds between the metal cation and carbonate anion, which require a significant amount of energy to break. As a result, Group 2 carbonates are commonly used as building materials, such as limestone and marble.

However, Group 2 carbonates are reactive towards acids. When an acid is added to a Group 2 carbonate, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), a chemical reaction occurs that produces carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and a salt. For example, when calcium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid, the following reaction occurs:

CaCO3 + 2HCl → CO2 + H2O + CaCl2

This reaction is commonly used in industries such as agriculture, where calcium carbonate is added to soil to neutralize acidic soils. Additionally, this reaction is also used in the production of carbon dioxide gas, which is used in various applications such as carbonated beverages and fire extinguishers.

In summary, Group 2 carbonates are thermally stable but reactive towards acids. Their thermal stability makes them useful in building materials, while their reactivity towards acids makes them useful in various industrial applications.

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