Valency: meaning, definitions and examples
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valency
[ˈveɪlənsi ]
Definitions
chemistry
Valency is a concept in chemistry that refers to the ability of an atom to bond with other atoms. This is determined by the number of electrons in the outer shell of an atom and how many of these electrons can be shared, lost, or gained when forming a compound. Valency is essential for understanding chemical reactions and molecular structures, as it dictates how different elements can interact with one another. Elements can have multiple valencies depending on the context of the chemical reaction.
Synonyms
bonding capacity, combining power, valence.
Examples of usage
- The valency of hydrogen is one, allowing it to form bonds with various elements.
- Oxygen typically has a valency of two, which means it can form two covalent bonds.
- Valency helps predict the formulas of compounds, like H2O for water.
- Understanding valency is crucial for balancing chemical equations.
linguistics
In linguistics, valency refers to the capacity of a verb to govern a specific number of arguments. It defines how many participants a verb can take in a sentence, influencing sentence structure and meaning. For example, an intransitive verb has a valency of one (requiring a subject), while a transitive verb has a valency of two (requiring a subject and an object). Mastery of valency is crucial for constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.
Synonyms
argument structure, lexical requirement.
Examples of usage
- The verb 'give' has a valency of three, involving a giver, a recipient, and an item.
- Intransitive verbs typically have a lower valency than transitive verbs.
- Understanding valency aids in language learning and sentence construction.
- Valency can vary significantly among different languages.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'valentia', meaning 'strength' or 'capacity', highlighting the idea of connection and bonding.
- In the early 19th century, the term was first popularized in the context of chemistry to describe how atoms combine.
Chemistry
- Elements in the same group of the periodic table usually have the same valency, which helps predict how they interact with other elements.
- Valency plays a crucial role in determining the structure and properties of molecules, affecting things like solubility and reactivity.
- Carbon, with a valency of 4, is essential in organic chemistry as it can form diverse compounds, including life-sustaining molecules.
Biology
- In biological systems, the valency of atoms affects how proteins fold and how enzymes function, ultimately influencing life processes.
- For instance, the valency of nitrogen in amino acids is significant for building proteins, vital for life.
Mathematics
- Valency is also used in graph theory to describe the number of edges connected to a vertex, which can represent relationships in networks.
- In combinatorial mathematics, understanding valency helps in analyzing how different combinations can arise from specific rules.
Cultural References
- Valency can metaphorically be related to interpersonal relationships, where higher 'valency' means the ability to connect with more people.
- In literature, this concept of connection can symbolize how themes interrelate, much like atoms forming complex molecules.
Translations
Translations of the word "valency" in other languages:
🇵🇹 valência
🇮🇳 वैलेंसी
🇩🇪 Valenz
🇮🇩 valensi
🇺🇦 валентність
🇵🇱 walencja
🇯🇵 価数
🇫🇷 valence
🇪🇸 valencia
🇹🇷 valans
🇰🇷 원자량
🇸🇦 العدد الذري
🇨🇿 valence
🇸🇰 valencia
🇨🇳 价态
🇸🇮 valenca
🇮🇸 valens
🇰🇿 валенттілік
🇬🇪 ვალენტურობა
🇦🇿 valens
🇲🇽 valencia