Question icon
11 grade chemistry others

Define valency and give valency of copper and iron.

Profile image of Aniket Singh
1 Year agoGrade
Answers icon

1 Answer

Profile image of Askiitians Tutor Team
1 Year ago

Valency is the measure of an atom's ability to combine with other atoms when it forms chemical compounds or molecules. It is determined by the number of electrons an atom can lose, gain, or share to achieve a stable electron configuration, often resembling that of the nearest noble gas.

Valency of Copper (Cu):
Copper exhibits two common valencies:

+1 (Cu⁺): This is known as cuprous.
+2 (Cu²⁺): This is known as cupric.
Valency of Iron (Fe):
Iron exhibits two common valencies:

+2 (Fe²⁺): This is known as ferrous.
+3 (Fe³⁺): This is known as ferric.
These valency states allow copper and iron to form various compounds and participate in different chemical reactions.