`LiCO_(3)`, inspite of being an alkali metal carbonate, is sparingly soluble in water like `MgCO_(3)`- explain.

Explanation

The electronegativities of Li and Mg are very close to each other. Furthermore, both `Li^(+) and Mg^(2+)` have similar ionic potential `(phi)` values and both of them have high polarising power. Soo Li and Mg show some similarity in their chemical properties. due to their small ionic size and high polarising power, their carbonates are somewhat covalent in nature. so, both `LiCO_(3)` (alkali metal carbonate) and `MgCO_(3)` are sparingly solution water.