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Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions
Chapter 2, Problem 44

The elements of Group 14 show an interesting change in properties moving down the group. Give the name and chemical symbol of each element in the group and label it as a nonmetal, metalloid, or metal.

Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Identify the elements in Group 14 of the periodic table. These elements are carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb).
Step 2: Classify carbon (C). Carbon is a nonmetal, known for its ability to form a wide variety of compounds, including organic molecules.
Step 3: Classify silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge). Both silicon and germanium are metalloids, which means they have properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.
Step 4: Classify tin (Sn). Tin is a metal, known for its malleability and use in alloys such as bronze.
Step 5: Classify lead (Pb). Lead is also a metal, recognized for its density and use in applications like batteries and radiation shielding.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Group 14 Elements

Group 14 of the periodic table, also known as the carbon group, includes the elements carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), and flerovium (Fl). These elements exhibit a range of properties that change from nonmetals to metals as you move down the group, influencing their chemical behavior and applications.
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Classification of Elements

Elements can be classified as metals, nonmetals, or metalloids based on their physical and chemical properties. Nonmetals, like carbon, are typically poor conductors of heat and electricity, while metals, such as tin and lead, are good conductors and malleable. Metalloids, like silicon and germanium, possess properties intermediate between metals and nonmetals.
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Trends in the Periodic Table

As you move down a group in the periodic table, elements generally exhibit trends such as increasing atomic size, decreasing ionization energy, and varying electronegativity. These trends affect the reactivity and bonding characteristics of the elements, leading to the observed changes in properties within Group 14.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Massspectrometry is more often applied to molecules than to atoms. We will see in Chapter 3 that the molecular weight of a molecule is the sum of the atomic weights of the atoms in the molecule. The mass spectrum of H2 is taken under conditions that prevent decomposition into H atoms. The two naturally occurring isotopes of hydrogen are 1H (atomic mass = 1.00783 amu; abundance 99.9885%) and 2H (atomic mass = 2.01410; abundance 0.0115%). (c) Which peak will be the largest, and which the smallest?

Textbook Question

For each of the following elements, write its chemical symbol, locate it in the periodic table, give its atomic number, and indicate whether it is a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal: (a) radon (b) tellurium (c) cadmium (d) chromium (e) barium (f) selenium (g) arsenic.

Textbook Question

For each of the following elements, write its chemical symbol, determine the name of the group to which it belongs (Table 2.3), and indicate whether it is a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal: (a) polonium (b) strontium (c) neon (d) rubidium (e) sulfur.

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Textbook Question

The structural formulas of the compounds n-butane and isobutane are shown below. (b) Determine the empirical formula of each.

Textbook Question

The structural formulas of the compounds n-butane and isobutane are shown below. (c) Which formulas—empirical, molecular, or structural—allow you determine these are different compounds?

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Textbook Question

Ball-and-stick representations of benzene, a colorless liquid often used in organic chemistry reactions, and acetylene, a gas used as a fuel for high-temperature welding, are shown below. (a) Determine the molecular formula of each.

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