Because lithium and magnesium have comparable ionic radii, the reactions of lithium and its compounds are very similar to those of magnesium and their corresponding compounds. Which statement about the reactions of lithium or its compounds can be predicted from this statement?
- ALithium burns very slowly in oxygen.
- BLithium carbonate decomposes on heating in a blue Bunsen burner flame, forming lithium oxide and carbon dioxide.
- CLithium nitrate decomposes on heating, forming lithium nitrite, $\text{LiNO}_2$, and oxygen.
- DLithium reacts very violently with cold water, liberating hydrogen.