Group 14

Group 14 has 4 valence electrons.

Carbon is essential to life, fossil fuels, and food because it can form long chains of different lengths which allows it to have more electrons. It was once thought to be the "Spark of Life"

Germanium is used in infrared spectroscopes , alloys in fluorescent lamps and catalysts, and it used to be a major semiconductor.

Tin is used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion, cans, super conducting magnets, and tin is deadly to most aquatic animal life so it has been banned in most countries for coating ships to prevent barnacles.

Lead is toxic and can no longer be used in paints it was used in paints to make it dry quicker and stay on longer.

Location of Group 14 on Periodic Table