Name: Electronic Configuration of Elements
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 6 s
Description: The number of protons in an atom is called its atomic number, represented by ‘Z’, while the sum of its protons and neutrons is called its mass number, given...

Question

How will you find the valency of chlorine, potassium and sulphur?

Accepted Answer

The atomic number of chlorine is $17$ . Its electronic configuration is: $2, 8, 7$ . Its has $7$ valence electrons, short of one electron to obtain the octet configuration. It is easier for chlorine to gain one electron instead of losing seven electrons. So, the valency of chlorine is determined by subtracting seven electrons from the octet. Hence, its valency is: $(8 - 7) = 1$ .

The atomic number of potassium is $19$ . Its electronic configuration is: $2, 8, 8, 1$ . It can easily lose one electron to obtain the octet configuration, hence its valency is $1$ .

The atomic number of sulphur is $16$ . Its electronic configuration is: $2, 8, 6$ . It has $6$ valence electrons, short of two electrons to obtain the octet configuration. It is easier for sulphur to gain two electrons instead of losing six electrons. So, the valency of sulphur is determined by subtracting six electrons from the octet. Hence, its valency is: $(8 - 6) = 2$ .

How will you find the valency of chlorine, potassium and sulphur?

Important Questions on Structure of the Atom

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