Chemistry - Complete s-block Question with Solution | TestHub

Lithium carbonate decomposes on heating to form lithium oxide and carbon dioxide.

${\mathrm{Li}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\stackrel{\Delta }{\to }{\mathrm{Li}}_2\mathrm{O}+{\mathrm{CO}}_2$

This is due to the small size and high polarizing power of the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ ion, which distorts the electron cloud of the large ${\mathrm{CO}}_3^{2-}$ ion, leading to the formation of the more stable ${\mathrm{Li}}_2\mathrm{O}$.

Answer: ${\mathrm{Li}}_2\mathrm{O}+{\mathrm{CO}}_2$