Question

What is the valency of sulphur atoms?
a.) 2
b.) 3
c.) 1
d.) 4

Answer 1

Hint: Try to recall that sulphur is an element of group 16 of modern periodic table and valency is the combining capacity of an element. Now, by using you can easily find the correct option from the given options.

Complete step by step solution:
We know that, valency of an element is basically its tendency to accept or lose electrons in order to complete its octet and get stable.
It is the minimum number of electrons we have to add or remove in order to completely fill the outermost shell of an element.
Mathematically we can say that if the outermost shell of an atom contains 4 or less than 4 electrons, then the valency of an element is equal to the number of electrons present in the outermost shell and if it is greater than 4, then the valency of an element is determined by subtracting the total number of electrons present in outermost shell from 8.
Calculation of valency:
Valency of Sulphur: The electronic configuration of Sulphur=2, 8, 6.
Since, Sulphur has 6 (more than 4) electrons in its outermost shell.
Therefore, valency of sulphur = 8 - number of electrons in outermost shell
\[ = 8 - 6\]
\[ = 2\]
Hence, from above we can conclude that option A is the correct option for the given question.

Note: It should be remembered that on going from left to right along a period, valency first increases from 1 to 4 and then decreases from 4 to 1.
Also, you should remember that, on going down in a group on modern periodic table valency does not change because the number of electrons in the outermost shell remains the same.