SOLUBILITY OF ALKALI METALS CARBONATES AND BICARBONATES :
PERIODICITY IN GROUP : The solubility of alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates in water increases down the group ( From Lithium to Caesium ).
SOLUBILITY OF ALKALINE EARTH METAL HYDROXIDES AND SULPHATES :
PERIODICITY IN GROUP : The solubility of alkaline earth metal hydroxide and sulphates in water increases down the group ( From Beryllium to Barium ).
BASIC STRENGTH OF ALKALINE EARTH METAL HYDROXIDES :
PERIODICITY IN GROUP : The basic strength of alkaline earth metal hydroxide in water increases down the group ( From Beryllium to Barium ), i . e .,
Be ( OH ) 2 < Mg ( OH ) 2 < Ca ( OH ) 2 < Sr ( OH ) 2 < Ba ( OH ) 2
Basic strength increases
THERMAL STABILITY OF CARBONATES OF ALKALI AND ALKALINE EARTH METALS :
Except lithium carbonate , ( LiCO3 ), the carbonates of all other alkali metals are stable towards heat , i . e ., carbonates of alkali metals ( except LiCO3 ) do not decompose on heating . LiCO3 decomposes on heating to give lithium oxide ( LiCO3 ).
The carbonates of alkaline earth metals are relatively less stable . On heating , they decompose to give corresponding oxide and CO2 gas . The decomposition temperature for alkaline earth metal carbonates increases as we go down the group .