Question

Silicon lies just below carbon in Group 4A (14) and also forms four covalent bonds. Why aren’t there as many silicon compounds as carbon compounds?

Short answer

The answer is,

Due to the larger size of the silicon atom.

Step-by-step solution

 Carbon and Silicon

Carbon and Silicon are atoms belonging to the same group, group 14 in the periodic table. The 14th group elements all are tetravalent. The other elements in the 14th group are Germanium, Tin, Lead and Flerovium.

Explanation

Ongoing down the group in the periodic table, the size of the atoms increases and the nuclear interaction of the nucleus with the electrons in the atom decreases.

The Silicon lies just below carbon in Group 4A (14) and also forms four covalent bonds, but still, the number of silicon compounds is less than that formed by the carbon. This is because of the larger size of the silicon atom than carbon, leading to the lower interaction of the electrons of the atoms with the nucleus.