The catenation tendency of C , Si and Ge is in the order Ge < Si < C . The bond energies (in kJ ~mol ⁻¹ ) of C - C , Si - Si and Ge - Ge bonds are respectively ;

Step-by-step solution

The linking of identical atoms with each other to form long chains is called catenation. However, this property decreases from carbon to lead. Decrease of this property is associated with M - M bond energy which decreases from carbon to lead.