STRUCTURE OF ATOM – WRITING CHEMICAL FORMULAE
CHEMISTRY -CLASS VIII
Q(9) What are valence electrons?
The electrons, which are present in the outermost shell of an atom are called valence electrons.
Example: Sodium.
Atomic number of sodium is 11
Electronic configuration of sodium is 2 8 1
In sodium 3rd shell is the outermost shell (valence shell) .In this shell it has 1 electron. Hence the
number of valence electrons present in sodium is 1.
Q(10) Define valency.
Valency is the combining capacity of an atom, i.e. the number of electrons lost or gained or shared to
attain stability.
• For the atoms having valence electrons less than or equal to 4, valency is same as that of the
number of valence electrons in that atom. For example, valency of Magnesium (2, 8, 2) = 2
• If number of valence electrons exceed 4, then valency = 8 – Number of valence electrons. For
example, valency of Oxygen (2, 6) = 8 – 6 = 2.
• Valency of atoms with 8 valence electrons is zero as they have fully filled valence shell and
cannot gain or lose electrons to form, molecules or compounds.
Q(11) Define octet configuration.
An element with 8 electrons in an outermost-shell is said to possess an octet. Elements
with octet configuration are stable.
Q(12) What are ions?
An ion is a positively or negativily charged atom. There
are two types of ions cations and anions.
Q(13) What are cations? Explain the formation of cation.
• A positively charged ion is known as cation. A cation is formed by loss of one or more electrons
by an atom.
• A cation is formed by removal of electrons from an atom therefore a cation contains less
electrons than normal atom.
• The metal atoms can lose electrons easily to form cations.
Example 1: Formation of aluminium ion.
Example 2: Formation of sodium ion.
Example 3: Formation of magnesium ion.
Q(14) What are anions? Explain the formation of anion.
• A negatively charged ion is known as anion. An anion is formed by the gain of one or more
electrons by an atom.
• Since an anion is formed by the addition of electrons to an atom, therefore, an anion contains
more electrons than normal.
• Generally non- metals form anions.
Example 1: Formation of chloride ion.
Example 2: Formation of oxide ion.
Example 3: formation of nitride ion.
