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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
The general trend in the properties of elements of carbon family shows that with increase in atomic number
Chemistryp Block Elements (Group 13 & 14)JEE Main
Options:
  • A the tendency towards catenation increases
  • B the tendency to show +2 oxidation state increases
  • C metallic character decreases
  • D the tendency to form complexes with covalency higher than four decreases
Solution:
1599 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: the tendency to show +2 oxidation state increases
Here statement B is correct as with increase in atomic number down the group the tendency to show +2 oxidation state increases due to inert pair effect.

In carbon family, the tendency towards catenation decreases on moving down the group, because the strength of M-M bond decreases.

Metallic character always increases on moving down the group. Carbon is strictly non-metallic; silicon is essentially a non-metal in its chemical property; germanium is a semimetal with pronounced metallic properties; tin and lead are truly metallic.

Carbon atom does not form complexes, because it does not have d-orbitals in its valence shell. The other elements of group have d-orbitals in their valence shell, therefore, the tendency to form complexes with covalency higher than four increases on moving down the group.

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