Knowra Carbon group Carbon group The periodic-table group containing carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, and flerovium. Its elements have four valence electrons and occupy group 14.
Periodic table : A tabular arrangement of chemical elements ordered by atomic number and recurring chemical properties. Group 14 is one vertical column in this arrangement.
Hybrid orbital : An orbital formed by mathematically combining atomic orbitals of different types on the same atom. Carbon’s sp³ hybridization supports its characteristic four-direction tetrahedral bonding.
Silicon : A metalloid element widely used in semiconductor devices, glass, ceramics, and solar cells. Its controlled conductivity made it the foundation of modern integrated circuits.
Boron group : The periodic-table group 13 elements, including boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium. Its three valence electrons contrast with group 14’s four.
Valence electron : An electron in an atom’s outer shell that participates in chemical bonding. Each carbon-group element has four electrons available in its outer shell.
Catenation : The ability of an element to form covalent bonds with itself, creating chains or rings. Carbon catenates especially strongly, while the tendency generally weakens down group 14.
Germanium : A metalloid element used in semiconductors, infrared optics, and specialized electronic devices. Its semiconductor and infrared properties suit applications distinct from silicon’s dominant role.
Nitrogen group : The periodic-table group 15 elements, including nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth. Its members have five valence electrons, one more than carbon-group elements.
Periodic trend : A recurring change in elemental properties across periods or down groups of the periodic table. Trends down group 14 help explain changes in size, metallic character, and bonding.
Allotropy : The existence of an element in two or more distinct structural forms in the same physical state. Carbon’s diamond and graphite structures show how one group member can have radically different properties.
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