What are Group 14 Elements

The group 14 elements in the p block are the elements belonging to the second group of this block. Group 14 is composed of six elements, including carbon. The elements of this group share similar physical and chemical properties. This group is also called the Carbon group; in the following article, we will learn what are group 14 elements. Upon reacting with the oxygen, the elements of Group 14 give oxides.

What are Group 14 Elements?

Group fourteen is the second group of the p block of the periodic table. It is composed of six compounds, namely, Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb), and Flerovium (Fl). This is also called the Carbon group of the p block elements. The outermost orbitals of these elements are composed of p orbit and contain two electrons.

The valency of compounds of this group is four because all the group elements have four electrons in the outer shell. The elements of group 14 make bond formations to complete the octet configuration of their respective outer shells.

The electronic configuration of elements is given by the following expression,

ns2 np4,

The oxidation state of the elements of this group varies from +4 to +2. As one moves downward in the group, the tendency of the elements to form +2 ions increases because of the inert pair effect of the elements of the p block.

In the configuration of Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb), the electrons of these elements also fill the d and f orbits, but d and f orbits of these elements do not participate in the bond formation due to their low shielding properties, and the s orbital is attracted towards the nucleus by the nuclear charge of the orbits. Therefore, only the electrons of the p orbit participate in bond formation in a chemical reaction.  Carbon and silicon are non metals, Germanium is metalloid, Lead and Tin are metals.

Properties

Now that we know what group 14 elements are, let us look at their chemical properties,

Physical Properties

• Because nuclear charge increases for the elements of group 14, the radii of the nucleus of group 14 elements are smaller than the radii of group 13. 

• Due to the poor shielding properties of d and f orbits, the radii of the elements increase significantly from Carbon to Silicon and then is followed by a smaller increase.

• In comparison to group 13 elements, the ionisation energy is greater in the elements of group 14. 

• Upon moving downwards in the group, the property of ionisation enthalpy of the elements decreases.

The ionisation enthalpy of this group can be represented by the following,

C > Si > Ge > Pb > Sn 

• The electronegativity of the elements of group 14 is more than the previous group 13. It is due to the smaller size of the orbits of group 14 elements.

• The elements of group 14 are less electropositive than those of group 13; the reason for this is the small size and high ionisation property of group 14 elements. 

• Upon going downwards in the group, the metallic properties of the elements increase. Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb) are soft metals and have low melting points; on the other hand, Carbon (C) and Silicon (Si) are non-metals, and Germanium (Ge) is a metalloid element. 

• Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), and Germanium (Ge) is made up of stable structures and have very high boiling and melting points. Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb) have a lower melting point. 

• The elements in group 14 have a diamond-shaped structure; that is why the elements are very stable in natural conditions. 

• Upon moving downward in the group, the melting point decreases. 

• Tin (Sn) and Lead (Pb) have low melting points since they are metals.

• Upon moving downwards in the group, the density of the elements increases.

Oxides of Group 14 Elements

Following are examples of oxides of Group 14 elements examples,

1. Carbon monoxide (CO)

2. Carbon dioxide (CO2)

3. Silicon dioxide (SiO2)

4. Lead (II) oxide (PbO)

5. Lead tetroxide (Pb2O3)

6. Lead dioxide (PbO2).

Lead and Tin form mixed oxides owing to their existence in multiple oxidation states.

Halides of Group 14 Elements

1. Carbon Tetrachloride(CCl4)

2. Silicon Tetrachloride(SiCl4)

3. Silicon Tetrafluoride(SiF4)

4. Lead Bromides(PbBr2  and PbBr4)

Lead and Tin can form halides of multiple oxidation states.

Conclusion

The group 14 consists of Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin, Lead. Carbon is one of the most important elements to sustain life. Carbon also shows some anomalous properties.