What is the valency of magnesium and chlorine in magnesium chloride?
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Solution
Valency:
“Valency is the combining capacity of an atom.”
“The electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom are known as the valence electrons.”
The valency of magnesium and chlorine in magnesium chloride:
Magnesium contains two valence electrons in its outermost shell as indicated by its electrical configuration of , which can also be represented as 2,8,2.
Chlorine has seven valence electrons in its outermost shell as indicated by its electrical configuration of , which can also be represented as 2,8,7.
The valency can be determined as follows if the valence electron number is more than four.
As a result, chlorine has a valency of which is .
In , the valency of magnesium is 2, whereas it is -1 for chlorine.