Valency
The combining capacity of an atom of an element is known as its valency. The number
of bonds that an atom can form as part of a compound is expressed by the valency of
the element.
Valence Shell
The outermost shell of an isolated atom of an element is called valence shell.
Valence Electrons
The number of electrons present in the outermost shell of an isolated atom of
an element, are called valence electrons.
Covalency
The capacity of an atom of an element to form number of covalent bonds, is called,
Covalency. e.g;
Element Normal Covalency Max. Covalency
H 1 1
C 4 4
O 2 3
N 3 4
P 3 4,5
S 2 4,5,6
Electrons in an atom are arranged in different orbitals (shells) represented as K, L,
M, N, and so on. The electrons present in the outermost shell/orbit of an atom are
called valence electrons. The valence electrons take part in any chemical reaction
1
because the outermost orbit usually contains more energy than the electrons
present in other orbits.
According to the Bohr-Bury rules, (1921) the outermost orbit of an atom will have
a maximum of 8 electrons. However, if the outermost orbit is completely filled
then very little or no chemical activity is observed in the particular element. Their
combining capacity becomes negligible or zero.
Bohr–Bury rules of electronic configuration:
Bohr and Bury simultaneously proposed the following rules for the distribution of
electrons in different shells.
Rule 1: The maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in a
shell is equal to 2n2 where ‘n’ is the quantum number of the shell (i.e., the
serial number of the shell from the nucleus).
Rule 2: Electrons may go into a new outer shell although the inner shells are
incompletely filled.
Rule 3: The outermost shell cannot have more than 8 electrons and the next
inner, i.e., the penultimate (second last), shell cannot have more than 18
electrons.
Rule 4: Even if the capacity of the penultimate (second last) shell exceeds 8,
it cannot have more than 8 electrons unless there are 2 electrons in the
outermost shell.
2
This is why noble gases are least reactive because their outermost orbit is
completely filled. However, the reactivity of other elements depends upon their
capacity to gain noble gas configuration. It will also help to determine the valency
of an atom.
Achieving Complete Octet
If the outermost shell of an atom has a total of 8 electrons then the atom is said to
have attained a complete octet. An atom has to gain, lose or share a particular
number of electrons from its outermost orbit to obtain complete octet. Therefore, a
capacity of an atom is the total number of electrons gained, lost, or shared to
3
complete its octet arrangement in the outermost atom. This capacity of an atom
will also determine the valency of an atom.
For instance, hydrogen has 1 electron in its outermost orbit so it needs to lose 1
electron to attain stability or octet. Thus, the valency of hydrogen is 1. Similarly,
magnesium has 2 electrons in its outermost orbit and it needs to lose them to attain
octet and obtain stability. Therefore, the valency of magnesium is 2.
Stability is also determined by the ability of atoms to gain electrons. For instance,
Fluorine has 7 electrons in its outermost orbit. It is difficult to lose 7 electrons but
it is easy to gain one electron. Thus, it will gain one electron to obtain octet so the
valency of fluorine is 1.
How to Find Valency of Elements?
As we know, the number of electrons in the outermost shell of hydrogen is 1, and
in magnesium, it is 2. Therefore, the valency of hydrogen is 1 as it can easily lose 1
electron and become stable. On the other hand, that of magnesium is 2 as it can
lose 2 electrons easily and also attain stability.
Furthermore, it is not only determined when an atom loses an electron. For
example, fluorine has 7 electrons in its outermost orbital. It is hard to lose 7
electrons and so it completes its octet by gaining 1 electron. Since it gains 1
electron, its valency is 1. In the periodic table, the elements in the same group have
the same valency.
For example, all the elements in group 8 have 8 electrons and completely filled
orbitals that is why the valency of all the elements in this group is zero.
4
Difference between Valency and Oxidation Number
Valency is different from the oxidation number, and it has NO SIGN. Thus, the
valency of nitrogen is 3, whereas it can have oxidation numbers from -3 to +5.
The oxidation number is the hypothetical charge of an atom in a molecule or ion,
and it is a measure of its apparent capacity to gain or lose electrons within that
species.
Periodic Trends
Valency in the periodic table across a period first increases and then decreases.
There is no change going down a group.
