Va"lence (?), n. [From L. valens, -
entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See
Valiant.] (Chem.) The degree of combining power of an
atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other
monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which
it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of
hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen,
nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have
a valence respectively of two, three, and four.
&fist; The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds.
Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the cases of
iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of
fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from the atomic
weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the chemical structures of
compounds.
Va"lence (?), n. [From L. valens, -
entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See
Valiant.] (Chem.) The degree of combining power of an
atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other
monads, as chlorine, sodium, etc.) with which it will combine, or for which
it can be substituted, or with which it can be compared; thus, an atom of
hydrogen is a monad, and has a valence of one; the atoms of oxygen,
nitrogen, and carbon are respectively dyads, triads, and tetrads, and have
a valence respectively of two, three, and four.
&fist; The valence of certain elements varies in different compounds.
Valence in degree may extend as high as seven or eight, as in the cases of
iodine and osmium respectively. The doctrine of valence has been of
fundamental importance in distinguishing the equivalence from the atomic
weight, and is an essential factor in explaining the chemical structures of
compounds.
