Question

In group-14, the inert-pair effect is more prominent in

a) tin and lead
b) carbon and silicon
c) all of them
d) none of theses​

Answer 1

In group 14, the inert pair effect is more prominent in tin and lead.

• As we move from top to bottom, the inert pair effect increases.
• Since carbon is at the top it does not experience much inert pair effect but lead and tin are the second last and last element of group 14 respectively, hence they experience inert pair effect more prominently due to which their most stable oxidation state is +2 instead of +4 as compared to the other elements.