How does metallic character vary among the group 14 elements? How is i

1.	How does metallic character vary among the group 14 elements? How is it related to ionisation energy?
Answer» Carbon and silicon are non metals. Germanium is a metalloid and tin and lead are metals. Metallic character increases from carbon to lead. The change from non metallic to metallic character is due to the increase in atomic size from carbon to lead. Consequently the ionization potential decreases from carbon to lead. Hence the electropositive character increases favouring ionic bonding especially with oxidation state +2. Whereas carbon and silicon show +4 oxidation state forming covalent bonding with electron sharing.

How does metallic character vary among the group 14 elements? How is it related to ionisation energy?

Answer»

Carbon and silicon are non metals. Germanium is a metalloid and tin and lead are metals. Metallic character increases from carbon to lead. The change from non metallic to metallic character is due to the increase in atomic size from carbon to lead. Consequently the ionization potential decreases from carbon to lead.

Hence the electropositive character increases favouring ionic bonding especially with oxidation state +2. Whereas carbon and silicon show +4 oxidation state forming covalent bonding with electron sharing.

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