Lesson 3: Group 14 Elements (Carbon Family)
This lesson covers the properties and compounds of Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Tin (Sn), and Lead (Pb).
- Allotropy: Carbon exhibits a wide range of allotropes, from diamond (a rigid covalent network solid) and graphite (a layered structure) to fullerenes. Silicon and tin also have allotropic forms.
- Catenation: This is a unique property of carbon, where it forms long chains and rings by bonding to other carbon atoms. This property is crucial for organic chemistry. Catenation decreases down the group.
- Important Compounds:
- Oxides of Carbon: The properties of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide ().
- Silicon Compounds: Students will study silicones (polymers of silicon and oxygen), silicates (basic units are tetrahedra), and the structure of zeolites
