Question

C andS are tetravalent where as Ge Sn and pb show divalency

Answer 1

Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Geranium (Ge), Stannum (Sn/Tin), and Plumbum (Pb/Lead) are all elements that belong to the p block of the periodic table. They have an electronic configuration of the elements is ns²p².

Of the p-block elements, Ge, Sn, and Pb are known to be divalent most of the time, when compared to C and Si, which are tetravalent most of the time.

This is because Ge, Sn, and Pb have an inert pair effect. The inner s electrons have inertness due to the poor shielding capacity of the outer electrons, which brings down the oxidation state of the elements by 2.The valence p-electrons are readily available for bonding while the s-electrons are attached to the nucleus.

Therefore, the elements with large atomic numbers are divalent and C and Si are tetravalent.