Valence (chemistry) - Common Valences

Common Valences

For elements in the main groups of the periodic table, the valence can vary between one to seven, but usually these elements form a number of valence bonds between one and four. The number of bonds formed by a given element was originally thought to be a fixed chemical property. In fact, in most cases this is not true. For example, phosphorus often has a valence of three, but can also have other valences.

Nevertheless, many elements have a common valence related to their position in the periodic table, following the octet rule. Elements in the main groups 1 (alkali metals) and 17 (halogens) commonly have a valence of 1; elements in groups 2 (alkaline earth metals) and 16 (chalcogens) valence 2; elements in groups 13 (boron group) and 15 (nitrogen group) valence 3; elements in group 14 (carbon group) valence 4.

Read more about this topic:  Valence (chemistry)

Famous quotes containing the word common:

    I have more in common with a Mexican man than with a white woman.... This opinion ... chagrins women who sincerely believe our female physiology unequivocally binds all women throughout the world, despite the compounded social prejudices that daily affect us all in different ways. Although women everywhere experience life differently from men everywhere, white women are members of a race that has proclaimed itself globally superior for hundreds of years.
    Ana Castillo (b. 1953)