Carbon Group - Definition and Overview

The carbon group is group 14 (IUPAC style) in the periodic table.

The carbon group is group 14 on the periodic table. Each element in this group has 4 electrons in its outer energy level. In most cases, the elements share their electrons. The tendency to lose electrons increases as the size of the atom increases, as it does with increasing atomic number. Carbon alone forms negative ions, in the form of carbide (C4-) ions. Silicon and germanium, both metalloids, each can form +4 ions.

The group consists of:

• carbon
• silicon
• germanium
• tin
• lead
• ununquadium