Solid aluminum carbonate decomposes to form solid aluminum oxide and carbon dioxide gas
What about it?
Al2(CO3)3 ==> Al2O3 + 3CO2
The decomposition reaction of solid aluminum carbonate (Al₂(CO₃)₃) can be represented by the following balanced chemical equation:
2 Al₂(CO₃)₃(s) → 4 Al₂O₃(s) + 6 CO₂(g)
In this reaction, solid aluminum carbonate breaks down into solid aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂). The reaction creates four moles of solid aluminum oxide and six moles of carbon dioxide gas for every two moles of solid aluminum carbonate.
To understand why solid aluminum carbonate decomposes to form solid aluminum oxide and carbon dioxide gas, we need to examine the chemical reaction involved.
The chemical formula for solid aluminum carbonate is Al2(CO3)3. When it decomposes, it breaks down into solid aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and carbon dioxide gas (CO2). The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
2 Al2(CO3)3 → 4 Al2O3 + 9 CO2
Now, let's explain why this decomposition occurs.
1. Thermodynamic Stability: Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is a more stable compound than aluminum carbonate (Al2(CO3)3). Stability refers to the tendency of a compound to exist without undergoing any further chemical changes. In this case, aluminum carbonate is thermodynamically less stable than aluminum oxide. Due to the higher stability of aluminum oxide, the decomposition reaction occurs to reach a more stable state.
2. Carbonate Decomposition: Carbonate compounds, such as aluminum carbonate, tend to decompose when heated. This is because carbonates contain CO3 groups, which are unstable at high temperatures. Heating causes the carbonate ions to break apart, releasing carbon dioxide gas.
3. Aluminum Oxide Formation: As aluminum carbonate decomposes, aluminum oxide is formed. This is due to the rearrangement of atoms during the reaction. The aluminum atoms in the carbonate compound combine with oxygen atoms to form aluminum oxide. Since aluminum oxide has a different structure and properties than aluminum carbonate, its formation occurs as a result of the decomposition reaction.
In summary, the decomposition of solid aluminum carbonate to form solid aluminum oxide and carbon dioxide gas is driven by the higher thermodynamic stability of aluminum oxide, the instability of carbonate ions at high temperatures, and the rearrangement of atoms during the reaction.