What is the maximum covalency of first elements of each group?
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Solution
Covalency
Covalency refers to the number of electron pairs that an atom shares with one or more atoms of the same or other types in order to have a stable electronic configuration.
Atom has a covalency of if it can share one electron.
Atom has a covalency of if it can share two electrons.
Maximum covalency of first elements of each group
The maximum covalency of an element is the number of covalent bonds that an atom of that element may establish with neighboring atoms.
The maximum covalency of an element is equal to its group number.
The maximum covalency of each group's first elements is .
Due to the small atomic size, the lack of vacant -orbitals, and the extremely electronegative character.
Examples
Group , the first element Carbon , shows a maximum covalency of four.
Group , the first element Nitrogen , also shows maximum covalency of four.