VALENCES Meaning and
Definition
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Valences, also known as valency or valence, refers to the combining power or capacity of an element or compound in a chemical reaction. It is a term used in chemistry to describe the number of bonds an atom can form with other atoms. Valences are determined by the number of electrons an atom possesses in its outermost energy level, also known as the valence shell.
The valence of an atom can be positive or negative, indicating its tendency to lose or gain electrons in order to achieve a stable electronic configuration. For example, elements with one to three valence electrons tend to lose electrons and have a positive valence, while elements with five to seven valence electrons are likely to gain electrons, resulting in a negative valence.
Valences play a crucial role in the formation of chemical compounds and the stability of molecules. Understanding the valences of elements is essential in predicting and explaining how they interact with each other and form various chemical bonds, such as ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds.
Valences are represented by numeric values or symbols, often indicated as superscripts or subscripts in chemical formulas. These values are determined based on the position of an element within the periodic table and its electron configuration.
In summary, valences are the measure of an element's bonding capacity, indicating the number of electrons it can gain, lose, or share to form chemical compounds and stable molecular structures.
Common Misspellings for VALENCES
Etymology of VALENCES
The word "valences" is derived from the Latin word "valentia", which means "strength" or "capacity". This Latin term is derived from the verb "valere", which means "to be strong" or "to have worth". The term "valence" first emerged in the field of chemistry in the mid-19th century to describe the combining power or capacity of an element or atom in a chemical compound. Over time, the plural form "valences" came into usage to refer to multiple valence states or capacities.
Similar spelling words for VALENCES
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