Silicon and Germanium are which type of elements

Electrical Engineering XYZ MCQs

Silicon and Germanium are which type of elements:

Correct answer: 3. Tetravalent

Explanation:

Tetravalent elements are those that have four valence electrons in their outermost shell.
Both Silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge) belong to group 14 of the periodic table, also known as the carbon group.
Elements in group 14 typically have four valence electrons, which means they can form four covalent bonds with other atoms.
Silicon and Germanium commonly form covalent bonds with other elements, particularly with themselves and other non-metals, such as oxygen and hydrogen, to create a variety of compounds, including silicon dioxide and germanium dioxide. Related reading: Semiconductor Manufacturing Techniques
This tetravalency is crucial for their application in semiconductor devices like transistors, where their ability to form stable covalent bonds allows for the precise control of electron flow, a fundamental property for electronic devices.