Determining the valency of copper involves understanding its electronic configuration and how it forms chemical bonds. Copper is a transition metal, and transition metals often exhibit variable valency.
Based on the provided reference, the video on YouTube titled "How to Find the Valence Electrons for Copper (Cu)" states that copper has 11 valence electrons because of the 10 plus 1 configuration. This is a point of confusion, though, because valency refers to the number of electrons an atom can gain, lose, or share to form chemical bonds, not simply the number of valence electrons.
Here’s a more accurate approach to understanding copper's valency:
- Electronic Configuration: Copper's electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s¹.
- Common Valencies: Copper most commonly exhibits valencies of +1 (cuprous) and +2 (cupric).
- Explanation:
- +1 Valency: Copper can lose the single electron in its 4s orbital to form Cu⁺, achieving a stable electron configuration.
- +2 Valency: Copper can lose both the 4s electron and one of the 3d electrons to form Cu²⁺.
Therefore, while the YouTube video talks about the number of valence electrons, the valency of copper is most accurately described as +1 or +2, reflecting its ability to form chemical bonds by losing one or two electrons.
