Group 14

Physical properties of
Group 14 elements

Candidates should be able to:

(a) explain the trends in physical properties (melting
points and electrical conductivity) of Group 14
elements: C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb.

4
11.2 Tetrachlorides and oxides of Group 14
elements

Candidates should be able to:

(a) explain the bonding and molecular shapes of the
tetrachlorides of group 14 elements;
(b) explain the volatility, thermal stability and hydrolysis
of tetrachlorides in terms of structure and bonding;
(c) explain the bonding, acid-base nature and the
thermal stability of the oxides of oxidation states +2 and
+4.

11.3 Relative stability of +2 and +4 oxidation

states of Group 14 elements

Candidates should be able to:

(a) explain the relative stability of +2 and +4 oxidation
states of the elements in their oxides, chlorides and
aqueous cations.

11.4 Silicon, silicone and silicates

Candidates should be able to:

(a) describe the structures of silicone and silicates
(pyroxenes and amphiboles), sheets (mica) and
framework structure (quartz) (general formulae are not
required);
(b) explain the uses of silicon as a semiconductor and
silicone as a fluid, elastomer and resin;
(c) describe the uses of silicates as basic materials for
cement, glass, ceramics and zeolites.

11.5 Tin alloys

Candidates should be able to:

(a) describe the uses of tin in solder and pewter.

1. The members of group 14 in the periodical table are Carbon, Silicon, Germanium, Tin and Lead
2. Group 14 is the only group which contain all 3 major classification of elements: metal, metalloid(semi-metal) and non-metal
3. The expected similarity in appearance between elements in the same Group is much less apparent in Group 14, where there is a
considerable change in character on going down the Group.
4. Carbon is a dull black colour in the form of graphite, or hard and transparent in the form of diamond; silicon and germanium are dull grey or
black; tin and lead are a shiny grey colour.
5. The variation of Group 14 is based on the characteristic of each elements. (ns 2 np2)
Element
Classification
Valence electron
Atomic radius(nm)
Melting point(C)
Boiling point(C)
First ionization energy(kJmol1)

Carbon
Nonmetal
2s22p2
0.077
3700
4620
1085

Silicon Germanium
Metalloid
3s23p2
4s24p2
0.117
0.122
1410
936
2680
2820
788
760

Tin
5s25p2
0.148
232
2270
705

Lead
Metal
6s26p2
0.154
328
1730
714

a) Atomic Radius
1. Atomic radius increase when goes down to Group 14. When the number of electrons increases, the number of shell required to fill in the
electronsincrease. This will increase the screening effect of the atom causing the effective nuclear charge decrease.
2. As the attraction forces between the outermost electron and the nucleus decrease, atomic radius become larger.

Element
C
Si
Ge
Sn
Pb

Atomic
Radius/nm
0.077
0.117
0.122
0.148
0.154

b) Melting point
1. As the properties of Group 14 elements are different, it has different molecular structure.
2. Carbon, silicon and germanium have gigantic molecular structure.
3. The melting point decrease when goes down to from carbon to germanium.

Giant
molecular
Elemen structure
t
Melting Point/K
C
Si
Ge
Sn
Pb

3830
1683
1210.6
505.1
600.7

4. This is due to bonding length of C C ; Si Si ; and Ge Ge become longer, so the covalent bond become weaker as the length increase.
5. As for tin (Stanum) and lead (Plumbum), they have strong metallic bond.
6. Lead has higher melting point than tin, as the arrangement of the metallic atom of lead are more closely packed (faced centered cubic)
than tin (tetragonal structure/more open) in solid lattice.
7. The close packing of lead increase the strength of the metallic bond even though the atomic radius of lead is larger than tin.

Exam Question

1. Which of the following is responsible for the increasing relative stability of the +4 oxidation state with the increasing
proton number of the Group 14 elements?
[STPM 1999]
A
B
C
D
E

The elimination of the two electrons in the s orbital becomes increasingly more
difficult.
The elimination of the two electrons in the p orbital becomes increasingly more
difficult.
The elimination of the four valence electrons becomes increasingly more difficult.
The inert pair effect increases.
The ionization energy of the elements increases

2. A tetrachloride of Group 14, XCl4, has the following properties. [STPM 1999]
(i) It is easily hydrolysed
(ii) Unstable to heat
(iii) Decomposes at room temperature according to the equation XCl 4XCl2 + Cl2 , X could be ..
A

germanium

carbon

lead

solicon

tin

3. Which of the following best explains the decreasing thermal stability of the chlorides and oxides in the oxidation
state of +4 of the Group 14 elements (carbon to lead) in the Periodic Table when descending the group?
[STPM 2000]
A The bond energy increases.
B The first and second ionization energy decreases.
C The standard electrode potential decreases.
D The presence of the inert pair effect of the s orbital electrons.
E The ease of elimination of four electrons increases.
4. Which of the following statements is true regarding the conductivity of graphite?
[STPM 2000]
A Its conductivity is higher than those of the metals.
B Its conductivity is due to its three dimensional structure.
C Its conductivity is due to the presence of delocalised electrons.
D Its conductivity is due to the formation of sp2 hybrid orbitals.
E Its conductivity is due to its electronic coniguration of 1s 2 2s2 2p2.