The elements of group IV show a gradation in character from
- A. metallic carbon to non metallic lead
- B. non metallic carbon through metalloid silicon and germanium to metallic tin and lead
- C. entirely metallic throughout
- D. entirely non metallic throughout
Explanation
Carbon is a non metal, silicon and germanium are metalloids used as semiconductors, and tin and lead are true metals, so group IV shows the clearest metallic gradation of any group. The reason is that ionisation energy falls down the group as the atoms get larger. This trend of increasing metallic character down a group applies across the p block.