Elements of group 14 (b) exhibit oxidation state of +4 only (a) exhibit oxidation state of +2 and +4 (c) form M2– and M4+ ion (d) form M2+ and M4+ ions
(b)The elements of group 14 have 4 valence electrons. Therefore, the oxidation state of group is +4. However, as a result of the inert pair effect, the lower oxidation state becomes more stable and the higher oxidation state becomes less stable. Therefore, this group exhibits +4 and +2 oxidation states.
