The elements in group 14 have 4 valence electrons, does this mean they gain or lose electrons when they bond? do they bond with same elements within the group?please leave examples thanks! 10 POINTS UP FOR GRABSthey can gain or lose electrons butthose rules are rules of thumbIn reality, whether an electron is gained or lost and what type of bond is formed depends on the differences in electronegatvities between the atoms involved examplesCH4C has EN 2.55, H 2.20since the difference is 0.5, the bond is considered non polar covalent and the electrons are shared almost equally rather than transfered from C to H or from H to C CF4F has EN 3.98diff in EN between C and F 1.43So the bonds are polar covalent with the Fluorine taking most of the valence electron density from the C(ieC gives up 4 electrons) CaC2calcium carbideCa has EN 1.00difference in EN between Ca and C 1.55this is an ionic bondthe two C\'s withdraws almost all of the valence electron density from the Ca(ieC gains 4 electrons) and this goes for basically all the columns of the periodic table column 1 usually gives up an electronbut not alwayscolumn 2 usually gives up a 2 electronsbut not alwayscolumn 13 usually gives up 3 electronsbut not alwaysetcexampleAlH3aluminum hydride the EN of H is 2.20EN of Al is 1.61so the H withdraws electron density from the Al and forms an H- ionthis is called a hydrideAn element in column 1 gained an electron.Other related question