Because lithium and magnesium have closely matched ionic radii, lithium and magnesium, together with their respective compounds, show very similar reactions. Which statement about the reactions of lithium, or of its compounds, could be predicted from this?
- 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, producing hydrogen.