Rucete ✏ Chemistry In a Nutshell
Group 4 Atoms Summary
General Characteristics
- Elements: Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb)
- Electron Configuration: ns²np² (for n > 2)
- Oxidation States: +2, +4
- C, Si: +4 is more stable
- Pb: +2 is more stable (due to the inert pair effect)
Element Breakdown
Carbon (C)
- Nonmetal
- Forms covalent compounds instead of ionic compounds.
- Highly stable in the +4 oxidation state.
Silicon (Si) & Germanium (Ge)
- Metalloids
- Do not typically form ionic compounds.
- Primarily exhibit covalent bonding.
Tin (Sn) & Lead (Pb)
- Metals
- Reactivity:
- Do not react with water.
- React with acids to produce hydrogen gas.
- Oxidation States:
- Sn: Can exist in both +2 and +4 states.
- Pb: More stable in the +2 oxidation state than +4.
Key Trends & Properties
Metallic Character Increases Down the Group:
- Carbon (C) → Nonmetal
- Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge) → Metalloids
- Tin (Sn), Lead (Pb) → Metals
Oxidation State Stability:
- +4 more stable for lighter elements (C, Si).
- +2 more stable for heavier elements (Pb) due to the inert pair effect.
Reactivity:
- Carbon forms covalent bonds; does not behave like a metal.
- Si & Ge do not form ionic compounds.
- Sn & Pb react with acids but not water.
In a nutshell
>>"Can Some Girls Snatch Pearls?" (C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb)
- C → Nonmetal
- Si, Ge → Metalloids
- Sn, Pb → Metals
- Oxidation state shifts from +4 stability (C, Si) to +2 stability (Pb).
Tags:
Chemistry in a nutshell