Question

How to determine the valency of an element?

Answer 1

Valency is defined as combining capacity of an element. The valency of an element is decided by number of electrons present in last shell. Given below is short-cut method to calculate valency.

• When the number of valence electrons is less than or equal to 4, the valency = number of valence electrons
• When the number of valence electrons are greater than 4, the valency = 8 - valence electrons