Question

Among the given group 14 elements, the one with highest density is

• A. Carbon
• B. Silicon
• C. Tin
• D. Lead

Hint:

In Group 14, density generally increases on moving down the group: \[ C \lt Si \lt Ge \lt Sn \lt Pb \] Lead has the highest density because of its very high atomic mass.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall the Group 14 elements.
The elements of Group 14 are: \[ C,\ Si,\ Ge,\ Sn,\ Pb \] As we move down the group, atomic mass increases significantly.

Step 2: Understand the trend in density.
Density is given by \[ \text{Density} = \frac{\text{Mass}}{\text{Volume}} \] Down the group, the increase in atomic mass is much greater than the increase in atomic size.
Therefore, density generally increases from carbon to lead.

Step 3: Compare the densities of the given elements.
Approximate densities are: \[ \text{Carbon} \approx 2.2\ g\,cm^{-3} \] \[ \text{Silicon} \approx 2.3\ g\,cm^{-3} \] \[ \text{Tin} \approx 7.3\ g\,cm^{-3} \] \[ \text{Lead} \approx 11.3\ g\,cm^{-3} \] Among the given elements, lead has the highest density.

Step 4: Verify with periodic trend.
Lead is the heaviest stable member of Group 14 and possesses the greatest mass per unit volume among the listed elements.
Hence, \[ Pb \] has the maximum density.

Step 5: Final conclusion.
Therefore, the Group 14 element having the highest density is \[ \boxed{\text{Lead (Pb)}} \] Hence, option (4) is correct.