Consider the following dioxide of group 14
1. `CO_2`
2. `SiO_2`
3. `GeO_2`
4. `SnO_2`
5. `PbO_2`
The basicity of the dioxide alters in the order

Options

A. `CO_2 gt SiO_2 gt GeO_2 gt SnO_2 gt PbO_2`
B. `CO_2 lt SiO_2 lt GeO_2 lt SnO_2 lt PbO_2`
C. `CO_2 lt SiO_2 lt GeO_2 lt PbO_2 lt SnO_2`
D. `CO_2 lt SiO_2 lt SnO_2 lt PbO_2 lt GeO_2`

Answer

To determine the order of basicity of the given dioxides from group 14, we need to analyze the properties of each oxide based on the metallic character of the elements involved. The dioxides we are considering are:

1. CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)
2. SiO₂ (Silicon Dioxide)
3. GeO₂ (Germanium Dioxide)
4. SnO₂ (Tin Dioxide)
5. PbO₂ (Lead Dioxide)

### Step-by-Step Solution:

**Step 1: Identify the nature of the elements in the dioxides.**
- Carbon (C) is a non-metal.
- Silicon (Si) is a metalloid.
- Germanium (Ge) is a metalloid.
- Tin (Sn) is a metal.
- Lead (Pb) is a metal.

**Hint 1:** Remember that non-metals tend to form acidic oxides, while metals form basic oxides.

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**Step 2: Understand the trend of metallic character in group 14.**
- As we move down the group from carbon to lead, the metallic character increases. This means that the ability of the elements to lose electrons and form basic oxides increases.

**Hint 2:** The metallic character increases down the group due to an increase in atomic size and a decrease in ionization energy.

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**Step 3: Analyze the basicity of each oxide based on metallic character.**
- CO₂: Non-metallic character is high, hence it is acidic.
- SiO₂: More metallic than CO₂ but still predominantly acidic.
- GeO₂: Intermediate character, slightly more basic than SiO₂.
- SnO₂: More metallic, thus more basic than GeO₂.
- PbO₂: Most metallic in this group, hence it is the most basic.

**Hint 3:** The more metallic the element, the more basic its oxide will be.

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**Step 4: Establish the order of basicity.**
Based on the analysis:
- PbO₂ (most basic)
- SnO₂
- GeO₂
- SiO₂
- CO₂ (least basic)

Thus, the order of basicity of the dioxides is:
**PbO₂ > SnO₂ > GeO₂ > SiO₂ > CO₂**

**Final Answer:** The basicity of the dioxides alters in the order: PbO₂ > SnO₂ > GeO₂ > SiO₂ > CO₂.

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