Question

Answer the following question in short.

Based on the molecules of methane (${\mathrm{CH}}_4$) and ammonia (${\mathrm{NH}}_3$), determine the valencies of carbon and nitrogen.

Answer 1

• Valency is the combining tendency of an element or radical
• The valency of an element or radical is defined as the number of the hydrogen atom which can displace or combine with the one atom of that element or radical.
• In methane (CH₄), the carbon atom combines with four hydrogen (H) atoms, hence valency of carbon is 4.
• While in ammonia (NH₃) three hydrogen (H) atoms combine with one atom of nitrogen (N) so the valency of nitrogen is 3.