Carbon dioxide and global warming: the greenhouse effect
2 marks · EasyExplain why heating sodium carbonate does not produce carbon dioxide gas, while heating magnesium carbonate does.
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Must show: References to thermal stability; sodium carbonate does not decompose when heated; magnesium carbonate decomposes to give CO2
Also accept: Describes sodium carbonate is more thermally stable than magnesium carbonate; magnesium carbonate decomposes while sodium carbonate does not
Common mistakes: Stating both always decompose; Not mentioning thermal stability
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Marking points
M1 · 1 mark · States sodium carbonate does not decompose when heated or is more thermally stable
A1 · 1 mark · States magnesium carbonate does decompose on heating to produce carbon dioxide gas
Worked solution
Sodium carbonate does not produce carbon dioxide when heated because it is more thermally stable and does not decompose at normal laboratory temperatures. Magnesium carbonate, on the other hand, is less thermally stable and breaks down when heated to form magnesium oxide and carbon dioxide gas.