Question

In electrovalency:
(A) molecules lose electrons, forming atoms
(B) molecules gain electrons, forming atoms
(C) atoms share electrons
(D) atoms lose or gain electrons, forming ions

Answer 1

Hint: Consider the meaning of the word electrovalency by breaking it down into its constituent words. Consider if the definition is specific to forming cations or anions.

Complete step by step solution:
The word electrovalency refers to the electrons that are involved in the formation of ions. The electrovalency of any ion refers to the electrons that are lost or gained during the formation of the ion. So essentially, it means the valency of an element when it is forming an ion.
The element has a positive electrovalency if it is losing electrons and gaining a positive charge and forming a cation. An element has a negative electrovalency if it is gaining electrons and developing a negative charge while forming an anion.
We can say that the ions that have a positive electrovalency are oxidized from their elemental states and they have a negative electrovalency if they are reduced from their elemental states.
Some examples explaining this are:
\[NaCl:N{{a}^{+}}C{{l}^{-}}\]
Here, sodium has a positive electrovalency of 1 and chlorine has a negative electrovalency of 2.
\[{{H}_{2}}O:2{{H}^{+}}+{{O}^{-2}}\]
Here, the positive electrovalency of each hydrogen atom is 1 and the negative electrovalency of oxygen is 2.

Hence, the correct option is ‘D. atoms lose or gain electrons, forming ions’

Note: Remember that electrovalency is not always equal to the charge present on the atom when it dissociates in the aqueous medium. Some molecules do not dissociate at all in the aqueous medium but will still have a certain positive or negative electrovalency.