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The Carbon Family

Maryam and Rawda

Carbon is in group 4 and has 4 valence electrons. Carbon family elements contain atoms that have 4 electrons in their outer energy level. Two of these electrons are in the s subshell, while 2 are in the p subshell. Of the Group 14 elements, only carbon and silicon form bonds as nonmetals (sharing electrons covalently). Silicon and germanium are semimetals (metalloids), existing in compounds with either +4 or -4 charges.

Number of valence electrons

The carbon family is element group 14 of the periodic table. The carbon family consists of five elements: carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and lead. The carbon family is located very nearly in the middle of the periodic table, with nonmetals to its right and metals to its left.

Its locaition on the periodic table

Carbon occurs in a striking variety of forms. Coal, soot, and diamonds are all nearly pure forms of carbon. Carbon also occurs in a form, discovered only recently, known as fullerenes or bucky balls. Carbon is unique among the elements in its ability to form strongly bonded chains, sealed off by hydrogen atoms. These hydrocarbons, extracted naturally as fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), are mostly used as fuels. A small but important fraction is used as a feedstock for the petrochemical industries producing polymers, fibers, paints, solvents and plastics etc. Impure carbon in the form of charcoal (from wood) and coke (from coal) is used in metal smelting. It is particularly important in the iron and steel industries. 

Graphite is used in pencils, to make brushes in electric motors and in furnace linings. Activated charcoal is used for purification and filtration. It is found in respirators and kitchen extractor hoods. Carbon fiber is finding many uses as a very strong, yet lightweight, material. It is currently used in tennis rackets, skis, fishing rods, rockets and airplanes. Industrial diamonds are used for cutting rocks and drilling. Diamond films are used to protect surfaces such as razor blades.

Common purpose

Chemical and physical properties elements in the carbon family share

Chemical properties

Chemical properties

The element carbon is the basis of life. It is found in all living material. Silicon is a semiconductor used commonly in computer chips and solar cells. It is also the second most abundant element in the earth's crust. Silicon dioxide, SiO2, is the major component of glass. Germanium has important semiconductor properties and is used in the computer industry. It is one of the few elements that expand when frozen. Lead has long been used for plumbing and is also used to block radiation. Tin was once used to make cans because it is relatively stable -- unreactive. Aluminum has replaced the more expensive tin today.

Physical properties

Physical properties

- Melting point: The melting point of carbon is extremely high. All the elements of group-14 possess diamond-type lattice structure which is highly stable in nature. The process of melting results in the breakage of these highly stable lattice structures. Hence, a large energy is required for the breakage. 

- Metallic and non-metallic character: As we go down the group the atomic number increases and it changes from nonmetals to metals. Carbon and silicon exhibit the characteristics of non-metals. Germanium possesses intermediate characteristics of metals and non-metals (metalloids) and tin and lead are metals. 

People have known about carbon as a substance since ancient times. French scientist Antoine Lavoisier determined that diamond was made of carbon in 1772. Carbon gets its name from the Latin word "carbo" meaning charcoal or coal. The five members are carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, and lead. All of these elements have four electrons in their outermost energy level. Of the Group 14 elements, only carbon and silicon form bonds as nonmetals (sharing electrons covalently). Silicon and germanium are semimetals (metalloids), existing in compounds with either +4 or -4 charges. Tin and lead are definitely metals. They always lose electrons due to the distance of their outer shells from the nucleus. They usually form compounds as cations with a +4 charge. All of the elements of this family can form four bonds, the most of any family.

a brief history of the discovery of the carbon family

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