Alkali metal carbonates are stable but carbonates of alkaline earth metals decompose on heating to liberate CO_(2) Why?

Alkali metal carbonates are stable but carbonates of alkaline earth me

1.	Alkali metal carbonates are stable but carbonates of alkaline earth metals decompose on heating to liberate CO_(2) Why?
Answer» Solution :Polarising power of ALKALINE earth metal cations is more than that of alkali metal cations because of small size and HIGH charge. Alkaline earth metal cations polarise a large `CO_(3)^(2-)` ion leading to the formation of more stable oxide (MO) and liberate `CO_(2)` gas. `MCO_(3)rarrMO+CO_(2)UARR`