Question

An element has atomic number 16, its valency is -2

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A True

• Valency is the number of electrons participating by an atom of an element in bond formation.
• For example, ammonia gas is formed when one atom of nitrogen interacts with three atoms of hydrogen.
• Nitrogen participates three electrons in an ammonia formation.
• As a result, Nitrogen has a valency of 3.

Explanation of Finding of valency:

Valency can be found from valence electrons.

• The atom is said to have positive valency if the number of electrons in the outer shell is between one and four.
• The valency of an atom having electrons four, five, six, or seven is found by subtracting the electron from the number eight.
• Sulfur is an element with atomic number 16, has electronic configuration as 2, 8, 6 hence its valence electrons are 6.
• So the number of electrons it will participate in bond formation is 8- 6 = 2.

Therefore its valency is -2, minus sign represents a gain of two electrons.

Hence an element has atomic number 16, its valency is -2