question_answer

The tendency for catenation decreases down the group 14. Or Why carbon shows catenation but silicon does not Or In group 14, the tendency for catenation decreases with increasing atomic number.

Answer:

                As we move down the group 14, the atomic size increases and hence the strength of the element-element bond, i.e., the bond dissociation enthalpy decreases steadily. Consequently, the tendency for catenation decreases down the group with increasing atomic number.