Question

What are the valencies of Sulfite, Bisulfite, and Sulfate?

Answer 1

Valency:

• “Valency is the combining capacity of an atom.”
• For example, a Hydrogen atom contains one electron each in its outermost shell, Thus, it can lose one electron. Hence the valency of Hydrogen is 1.

Sulfite, Bisulfite, and Sulfate are the different types of ions that are formed by Sulfur.

• Sulfite has a molecular formula as ${{\mathrm{SO}}_3}^{2-}$, the valency of this ion is 2 as it gains two electrons.
• Bisulfite has a molecular formula as ${{\mathrm{HSO}}_3}^{-}$, the valency of this ion is 1 as it gains one electron.
• Sulfate has molecular formula as ${{\mathrm{SO}}_4}^{2-}$, the valency of this ion is 2 as it gains two electrons.