group14

Group 14, also known as the carbon group, is the set of elements in group 14 of the periodic table. It comprises carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), and flerovium (Fl). The elements lie in the p-block and span periods 2 through 7. They share a common valence electron configuration of ns2np2 and are commonly described as having four valence electrons, which gives them the tendency to form four covalent bonds.

Across the group, atomic size increases down the column, and electronegativity generally decreases. The elements display a range of chemical behavior from nonmetallic carbon to metalloid silicon and germanium, and metallic tin and lead. Oxidation states range from -4, especially in organometallic or hydrocarbon contexts, to +4, with +2 also common for tin and lead. Carbon forms many covalent networks and allotropes, most notably diamond, graphite, fullerenes, and graphene. Silicon and germanium are key semiconductors, forming oxide layers such as SiO2 that are central to electronics. Tin and lead are metals with industrial uses in soldering, batteries, and shielding, and they exhibit various oxidation states, especially +2 and +4.

Flerovium is synthetic and highly unstable, with chemistry that remains poorly characterized. It is expected to be highly radioactive and short-lived, limiting practical study.

The group plays a foundational role in science and technology: carbon-based chemistry underpins organic life; silicon-based electronics rely on the group’s elements; and the heavier members have long-standing metalworking and energy storage applications.