Question

If $ Z = 6, $ what will be the valency of the element?

Answer 1

Hint :The number of hydrogen atoms which combine with an atom of any element is called valency of that element. It is simply the combining capacity of any atom or any molecule. By determining the number of electrons in the outermost shell of each atom of the given element, valency can be found.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
If $ Z = 6, $ it means the atomic number of that element is $ 6 $ and the electronic configuration of the element can be written as $ 2,4 $ . We know that the number of valence electrons is the number of electrons in the outermost shell. Hence, the number of electrons in the outermost shell are $ 4 $ .
Therefore, the valency of the element is $ 4 $ .

Additional Information:
The atomic number of an element can also be called proton number. It is represented by the symbol $ Z $ . The number of protons present in the nucleus of every atom of that particular element is called atomic number of that element. The mass number of an element is the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons together. By subtracting the number of protons from the mass number of that element, we can get the number of neutrons in that atom.

Note :
To find the valency of a particular element, we should know the atomic number of that particular element. The outermost shell of an atom is the valence shell and the electrons that are present in it are called valence electrons. Note that valence has no sign.