Which of the following elements shows variable valency?
A
Magnesium
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B
Zinc
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C
Iron
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D
Sodium
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Solution
The correct option is C
Iron
Explanation for the correct option:
(c ) Iron
Because of the involvement of unoccupied d-orbitals and electrons from the outermost and penultimate shells in the process, iron exhibit varying valency.
Iron has the atomic number . It possesses two electrons in the orbital and six in the orbital.
To achieve stability, it loses two electrons in the orbital and therefore has valency.
And because half-filled orbitals are more stable, it loses one additional electron from the orbital and thus has valency.
Hence this option is correct
Explanation for the incorrect options:
(a) Magnesium
Magnesium has atomic number .
To achieve stability, it loses two electrons and therefore has valency.
Thus, this option is incorrect.
(b) Zinc
Zinc has atomic number .
To achieve stability, it loses two electrons and therefore has valency.
Thus, this option is incorrect.
(d) Sodium
Sodium has atomic number .
To achieve stability, it loses two electrons and therefore has valency.