Group 14 Elements: The Carbon Family
Chapter Name : The P- Block Elements |
Sub Topic Code : 102_11_11_06_01 |
Topic Name : Group 14 Elements: The Carbon Family |
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Sub Topic Name : Electronic Configuration |
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Introduction
• Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) are the members of group 14. • Carbon is the seventeenth most abundant element by mass in the earth’s crust. • In elemental state it is available as coal, graphite and diamond • Naturally occurring carbon contains two stable isotopes: 12C and 13C. • In addition to these, third isotope, 14C is also present. • 14C is a radioactive isotope with half-life 5770 years and used for radiocarbon dating. • Silicon is a very important component of ceramics, glass and cement. • Germanium exists only in traces. • Tin occurs mainly as cassiterite, SnO2 • Lead as galena, PbS. • Ultrapure form of germanium and silicon are used to make transistors and semiconductor devices. • The valence shell electronic configuration of these elements is ns2np2.
Pre-Requisites:
Elements, periodic table, Group
Activity:
• Group 14 has carbon, silicon which is found in the earth’s crust. • Carbon dating is done by using the C-14 isotope.
Real Life Question:
What is carbon used for?
Key Words / FlashCards
| Key Words | Definitions (pref. in our own words) |
|---|---|
| P block elements | Have the last electron in the outermost p orbital. |
Learning aids / Gadgets
| Gadgets | How it can be used |
|---|---|
| Glass, cement, coal | Glass and cement have silicon in it, coal has carbon in it. |
Real life uses :
• Carbon is found in every living tissue. • Silicon is used to make glass and cement.
Places to visit :
Chemistry lab, kitchen.
Practical examples around us
| Examples | Explainations |
|---|---|
| cement | Cement has silicon in it. |
What you learn in Theory:
• Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) are the members of group 14. • Carbon is the seventeenth most abundant element by mass in the earth’s crust. • In elemental state it is available as coal, graphite and diamond • Naturally occurring carbon contains two stable isotopes: 12C and 13C. • In addition to these, third isotope, 14C is also present. • 14C is a radioactive isotope with half-life 5770 years and used for radiocarbon dating. • Silicon is a very important component of ceramics, glass and cement. • Germanium exists only in traces. • Tin occurs mainly as cassiterite, SnO2 • Lead as galena, PbS. • Ultrapure form of germanium and silicon are used to make transistors and semiconductor devices. • The valence shell electronic configuration of these elements is ns2np2.
What you learn in Practice:
• Group 14 has carbon, silicon which is found in the earth’s crust. • Carbon dating is done by using the C-14 isotope.