The element with atomic number 14 is hard and forms acidic oxide and a covalent halide. To which of the following categories does the element belong?

Options

A. Metal
B. Metalloid
C. Non-metal
D. Left-hand side element

Explanation

To solve the question regarding the element with atomic number 14, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Element
The element with atomic number 14 is Silicon (Si).

### Step 2: Determine the Electronic Configuration
The electronic configuration of Silicon is:
- 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p²
This can also be simplified to 2, 8, 4, indicating that Silicon has 4 valence electrons.

### Step 3: Classify the Element
Silicon belongs to Group 14 of the periodic table, which is also known as the Carbon family. This group includes Carbon (C), Silicon (Si), Germanium (Ge), Tin (Sn), and Lead (Pb).

### Step 4: Analyze the Properties
- **Hardness**: Silicon is known to be a hard material.
- **Acidic Oxide Formation**: Silicon forms Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂), which is an acidic oxide.
- **Covalent Halide Formation**: Silicon can form covalent halides, such as Silicon Tetrachloride (SiCl₄).

### Step 5: Conclusion
Based on the properties and classification, the element with atomic number 14 (Silicon) is categorized as a **non-metal** that forms acidic oxides and covalent halides.

### Final Answer
The element with atomic number 14 belongs to the category of **non-metals**.

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