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Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals
All textbooksBrown 14th EditionCh.22 - Chemistry of the NonmetalsProblem 71
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Chapter 22, Problem 71

Complete the exercises below. Select the member of group 4A that best fits each description: a. has the lowest first ionization energy, b. is found in oxidation states ranging from -4 to +4, c. is most abundant in Earth’s crust.

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1
Step 1: Identify the elements in group 4A of the periodic table. These elements are carbon (C), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb).
Step 2: To determine which element has the lowest first ionization energy, recall that ionization energy generally decreases as you move down a group in the periodic table. Consider the position of each element in group 4A.
Step 3: For the element that is found in oxidation states ranging from -4 to +4, consider the typical oxidation states of each group 4A element. Remember that carbon is known for having a wide range of oxidation states.
Step 4: To find the most abundant element in Earth's crust from group 4A, consider the natural abundance of each element. Silicon is well-known for being a major component of the Earth's crust.
Step 5: Review your answers by comparing the properties of each group 4A element to ensure they match the descriptions given in the problem.
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