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Question

‘Valency is also the number of electrons -donated or accepted by an atom so as to achieve the stable electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas’.With reference to this definition.

b) State why the valency of-

(ii) Chlorine,oxygen,and nitrogen is : -1,-2, &-3 respectively.


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Solution

Understanding the concept: As we know, the number of electrons that participate in bond formation by an atom is called valency.

Metals lose electrons while nonmetals gain electrons to attain a stable noble gas electronic configuration.

Explanation of valency: The electrons are distributed in different shells called orbits or energy levels present around the nucleus of an atom. These energy levels contain a definite number of electrons depending upon the distance from the nucleus of an atom.

According to the octet rule, an atom should complete an outermost shell to attain a stable noble gas configuration. Thus an atom loses its electron or gains an electron depending upon the number of electrons present in the outermost shell.

Those atoms which contain more than 4 electrons present in the outermost shell will gain the required electrons to attain a stable noble gas electronic configuration.

The distribution of electrons in different shells is called electronic distribution.

  • The electronic configuration of Chlorine (17) in different shells is, K=2, L=8, and M =7. Thus it will gain one electron to complete its octet and attain a valency of -1.
  • Similarly, the electronic configuration of oxygen(8) in different shells is, K=2, L=6. Thus it will gain two electrons to complete its octet and attain a valency of -2
  • And, the electronic configuration of Nitrogen(7) in different shells is, K=2, L=8, and M =3. Thus it will gain its one electron and attain a valency of -3.

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