Question

An element E shows variable valency of 4 and 6. Write the chemical formula of its two fluorides

Answer 1

E with valency 4

• The valency of fluorine is -1.
• If the valency of the element E is 4, then it can combine with 4 fluorine atoms
• Hence the chemical formula can be derived as:
• $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{E}\mathrm{F} \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ 41(\mathrm{cross}\mathrm{multiply}\mathrm{and}\mathrm{write}\mathrm{as}\mathrm{subscripts}) \\ {\mathrm{E}}_1{\mathrm{F}}_4 \\ {\mathrm{EF}}_4 \end{gathered}$$

Hence the chemical of the oxide of element E with valency 4 is${\mathrm{EF}}_4$.

E with valency 6

• The valency of fluorine is -1.
• If the valency of the element E is 6, then it can combine with 6 fluorine atoms
• Hence the chemical formula can be derived as:
• $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{E}\mathrm{F} \\ \searrow \swarrow \\ 61(\mathrm{cross}\mathrm{multiply}\mathrm{and}\mathrm{write}\mathrm{as}\mathrm{subscripts}) \\ {\mathrm{E}}_1{\mathrm{F}}_6 \\ {\mathrm{EF}}_6 \end{gathered}$$

Hence the chemical of the oxide of element E with valency 4 is ${\mathrm{EF}}_6$.