Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
valency
Noun
/ˈveɪ.lən.si/
Definition
The capacity of an atom to bond with other atoms.
Examples
- Oxygen has a valency of 2, allowing it to form bonds with two hydrogen atoms to create water.
- In organic chemistry, the valency of carbon is 4, which enables it to form a wide variety of compounds.
Meaning
In chemistry, valency refers to the combining power of an element, which is determined by the number of electrons it can lose, gain, or share when forming chemical bonds.
Synonyms
- Bonding capacity
- Combining power
