What are the products of the thermal decomposition of copper(II) carbonate?

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Multiple Choice

What are the products of the thermal decomposition of copper(II) carbonate?

Explanation:
When a metal carbonate is heated, it tends to break down into a metal oxide and carbon dioxide. For copper(II) carbonate, heating causes it to lose carbon dioxide and form copper(II) oxide. The reaction is CuCO3(s) → CuO(s) + CO2(g). You can see the gas is CO2 released, and what remains is the oxide of copper. Water isn’t produced because there’s no hydrogen in copper carbonate to form water, and copper metal would require a reducing environment, which simple heating in air does not provide.

When a metal carbonate is heated, it tends to break down into a metal oxide and carbon dioxide. For copper(II) carbonate, heating causes it to lose carbon dioxide and form copper(II) oxide. The reaction is CuCO3(s) → CuO(s) + CO2(g). You can see the gas is CO2 released, and what remains is the oxide of copper. Water isn’t produced because there’s no hydrogen in copper carbonate to form water, and copper metal would require a reducing environment, which simple heating in air does not provide.

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