What is the difference between valency and oxidation numbers?
Difference between valency and oxidation number
Serial number | Valency | Oxidation number |
1 | "The combining power (or capacity) of an element is known as its valency." |
“Oxidation number denotes the oxidation state of an element in a compound ascertained according to a set of rules formulated on the basis that electron pair in a covalent bond belongs entirely to a more electronegative element ”. |
2 | A valency is always a whole number. | The oxidation number of an element may be a fractional or whole number. |
3 | The valency of the pure element depends on the number of electrons present in the outer shell of an atom. | The oxidation number of the pure elements is always 0. |
4 | The valency of an element is generally fixed. | Oxidation number of an element may have different values. |