Valency

The electrons in an atom are arranged in different shells/orbits. The electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom are known as the valence electrons. From the Bohr-Bury scheme, we also know that the outermost shell of an atom can accommodate a maximum of 8 electrons. It was observed that the atoms of elements, having a completely filled outermost shell show little chemical activity. in other words, their combining capacity or valency is zero. Of these inert6 elements, the helium atom has two electrons in its outermost shell and all other elements have atoms with eight electrons in the outermost shell.

The combining capacity capacity of the atoms of other elements, that is, their tendency to react and form molecules with atoms of the same or different elements, was thus explained as an attempt to attain a fully- filled outermost shell. An outermost-shell, which had eight electrons electrons was said to posses an octet. Atoms would thus react, so as to achieve an octet in the outermost shell. This was done by sharing, gaining or losing electrons. the number of electrons gained, lost or shared so as to make the octet of electrons in the outermost shell, gives us directly the combining capacity of the element. Ex- Hydrogen/ Lithium/ Sodium atoms contain one electron each in their outermost shell, therefore each one of them can lose one electron. So, they are said to have valency of one. The valency of magnesium has two electrons in its outermost shell and aluminium has three electrons in its outermost shell.

if the number of electrons in the outermost shell of an atom is close to its full capacity, then valency is determined in a different way. Ex- Fluorine atom has 7 electrons in the outermost shell, and its valency could be 7 but it is easier for fluorine to gain one electron instead of losing seven electron. Hence, its valency is determined by subtracting seven electrons from the octet and this gives you a valency of one for fluorine. Therefore, an atom of each element has a definite combining capacity, called valency.