21 Chemistry -- Oxidation and Reduction

Differences between O.N. and Valency

Differences between O.N. and Valency


O.N.Valency
It is the charge appeared on the atom.
eg: O.N. of C in HCHO is 0.
It is the no. of electrons lost, gained or shared by an atom of an element.
eg: Valency of C in HCHO is 4.
It may be zero, positive, negative or even in fraction.
eg: O.N. of N in (hydrozoic acid) N3H is -1/3 and in NH3 is -3.
It is a whole number with positive or negative sign.
eg: Valency of N in N3H and NH3 is 3.
It may be different for the same element in the different compounds.
eg: O.N. of C in CH4, CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, CHCl3 and CCl4 are -4, -2, 0, +2 and +4 resp.

Except variable valency, elements have constant valency.
eg: Valency of C in CH4, CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, CHCl3 and CClis 4.




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