| Carbon | Silicon |
| (1) elements of sub-group IVA and have s2p2 electron in the outermost level, C (6) – 1s22s22p2 | (1) elements of sub-group IVA and have s2p2 electron in the outermost level, Si (14) – 1s22s22p63s23p2 |
| (2) found in nature -in animal and plant kingdoms, as minerals | (2) abundant in silicate minerals and as silica and rocks |
| (3) common oxide is CO2, | (3) common oxide is SiO2 |
| (4) form hydrides, halides and other compounds- CCl4, CH4, C2H6 | (4) form hydrides, halides and other compounds- SiCl4, SiH4, Si2H6 |
| (5) exhibit isomerism, | (5) not so pronounced |
| (6) maximum covalency is 4 | (6) it can expand to 6 |
| (7) compounds of C are quite stable | (7) most silica compounds are unstable except silicates and polymers. |
