Question

Define electrovalency.

Answer 1

Electrovalency:

When an element combines with another element by losing or gaining electrons to form a compound, its valency is called electrovalency.

Example:

1. Consider a Sodium atom $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{Na}\mathbf{\right)}$ having atomic number $11$. Thus, the number of electrons in a Sodium atom are $11$.
2. The electronic configuration of Sodium is $(2,8,1)$.
3. In order to acquire eight electrons in the outermost shell i.e. to attain nearest noble gas configuration, Sodium atom loses $1$ electron from the outermost shell.
4. This leads to formation of Sodium ion having one unit of positive charge $\left({\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\right)$.
5. Thus, the electrovalency of Sodium is $+1$.