Question

What do you understand by the term variable valency?

Answer 1

Understanding the concept:

• Variable valency refers to the property of having varied abilities to combine with distinct constituents.
• Some substances have several valences. Variable valency is a term used to describe such elements.

Explanation of variable valency:

• Some elements have varying degrees of ability to combine with other elements.
• This is dependent on the reaction's nature.
• An atom of an element can sometimes lose more electrons from the penultimate shell than it has in its valence shell.
• Resulting in more than one or variable valency.
• For example, the valency of iron in ferrous oxide is +2, $FeO$. Whereas the valency of iron in ferric oxide is +3,$F{e}_2{O}_3$.