Question

Elements of group 14 exhibit oxidation state of

• A. +4 only
• B. +2 and +4 only
• C. +1 and +3 only
• D. +2 only.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

+2 and +4 only

Answer 2

Outer electronic configuration of group- 14 elements is $ns^2np^2$. Thus, they can exhibit +2 oxidation state by losing $2p$-electrons or +4 oxidation state by losing all 4 valence electrons.