More reactive metals are more difficult to decompose(they have a greater thermal

stability). For example potassium and sodium carbonates are heat stable. Carbonates
below Na in the reactivity series decompose to the oxides of the metal + CO2.
Metals decompose more easily as it goes down the reactivity series.

CARBONATES

Metal carbonates such as: calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate,
lead carbonate, iron(III) carbonate, copper(II) carbonate --> decompose on heating
to give metal oxide + CO2

Silver carbonate:
1. Decomposes on heating to give silver oxide + Co2
2. Silver oxide is thermally unstable
3. Silver oxide further decomposes to silver
2Ag2O(s) ---> 4Ag(s) + O2(g)

NITRATES
1. Potassium and sodium nitrates decompose into metal nitrite + O2
for example: 2NaNO3(s) ---> 2NaNO2(s) + O2(g)

2. Calcium nitrate, magnesium nitrate, aluminum nitrate, zinc nitrate, lead nitrate
and copper nitrate decompose into metal oxide + NO2 + O2
for example: 2Mg(NO3)2(s) ---> 2MgO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)

3. Gold nitrate and silver nitrate decompose into metal + NO2 + O2

for example: 2AgNO3(s) ---> 2Ag(s) + 2NO2(g) + O2(g)

HYDROXIDES

1. Calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, iron

hydroxide, lead hydroxide and copper hydroxide decompose to form metal oxide + H2O
for example: Ca(OH)2(aq) ---> CaO(s) + H2O(l)