The valency of silver in the compound \( Ag_2S \) is 1. This means that each silver atom can donate one electron to form a bond with sulfur, which is essential for understanding how these elements interact in this compound.
Understanding Valency
Valency refers to the ability of an atom to bond with other atoms, which is determined by the number of electrons in its outer shell. For metals like silver, this often involves losing electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
Analyzing Silver and Sulfur
Silver (Ag) is a transition metal with an atomic number of 47. It typically exhibits a valency of 1 or 2, but in the case of \( Ag_2S \), it specifically has a valency of 1. On the other hand, sulfur (S) has an atomic number of 16 and typically has a valency of 2 because it can gain two electrons to fill its outer shell.
Formation of \( Ag_2S \)
- In \( Ag_2S \), there are two silver atoms for every one sulfur atom.
- Each silver atom donates one electron to bond with the sulfur atom.
- This results in a stable compound where the total positive charge from the two silver ions balances the negative charge from the sulfur ion.
Conclusion on Valency
Thus, in \( Ag_2S \), the valency of silver is 1, making the correct answer A. This understanding of valency is crucial not only for recognizing how compounds form but also for predicting their properties and behaviors in chemical reactions.