Valency is a measure of an atom's ability to combine with other atoms. It's determined by the number of electrons in the outermost shell, called valence electrons.
Determining Valency: A Simple Guide
The process for determining valency differs slightly depending on the number of valence electrons:
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Elements with 1 to 4 valence electrons: The valency is equal to the number of valence electrons. For example, an element with 3 valence electrons has a valency of 3. This is explicitly stated in multiple sources, including this Byju's answer and this Jul 2022 reference.
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Elements with 5 to 7 valence electrons: The valency is calculated as 8 minus the number of valence electrons. For example, an element with 6 valence electrons has a valency of 8 - 6 = 2. Again, this is confirmed by Byju's and the July 2022 source.
Examples:
- Chlorine: Chlorine has 7 valence electrons. Its valency is 8 - 7 = 1. This is illustrated in Vedantu's explanation.
- Magnesium: Magnesium has 2 valence electrons. Its valency is 2.
- Sulfur: Sulfur has 6 valence electrons. Its valency is 8 - 6 = 2.
Helpful Resources:
Several online resources provide additional information and tricks for determining valency:
- YouTube Tutorials: Search for "how to calculate valency" on YouTube to find numerous video tutorials, such as this video focusing on elements 1-30, this one on the general calculation, and this one explaining a trick to find valency.
- Sciencing Article: This article offers a concise overview of valency and its calculation.
Remember, understanding the electronic configuration of an element is crucial for determining its valency.
