Which statement is correct with respect to the property of...

Which statement is correct with respect to the property of the elements with increase in atomic number of the carbon family? (1) Their metallic character decreases. (2) The stability of $+2$ oxidation state increases. (3) Their ionization energies increase. (4) Their electronegativities decrease.

Which statement is correct with respect to the property of the elements with increase in atomic number of the carbon family?
(1) Their metallic character decreases.
(2) The stability of $+2$ oxidation state increases.
(3) Their ionization energies increase.
(4) Their electronegativities decrease.

Key Concepts

Periodic Trends

Periodic trends refer to the predictable patterns in the physical and chemical properties of elements as one moves across a period or down a group in the periodic table. These trends include variations in atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity, and metallic character, which help explain differences in reactivity and behavior among elements, including those in the carbon family.

Metallic Character

Metallic character describes the tendency of an element to exhibit properties typically associated with metals, such as electrical conductivity and ductility. In a group of elements, metallic character generally increases as atomic number increases because the outer electrons are held less tightly due to increased shielding and larger atomic sizes.

Ionization Energy

Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from a neutral atom in its gaseous state. In a given group of the periodic table, ionization energy typically decreases with increasing atomic number because the larger atomic radius and increased electron shielding lower the energy needed to remove the outer electrons.

Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. For elements grouped in the same family, electronegativity usually decreases with an increase in atomic number due to the increasing size of the atoms and the consequent decrease in the effective nuclear charge experienced by bonding electrons.

Oxidation States

Oxidation states denote the degree of oxidation of an atom in a chemical compound. In the carbon family, heavier elements may exhibit a stabilization of lower positive oxidation states, such as the +2 state, due to effects like the inert pair effect, where the s-electrons become less available for bonding as the atomic number increases.

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