Valancy
Valancy
Valancy
Electrons fill orbitals in a way to minimize the energy of the atom. Therefore, the
electrons in an atom fill the principal energy levels in order of increasing energy
(the electrons are getting farther from the nucleus). The order of levels filled
looks like this:
d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, and 7p
One way to remember this pattern, probably the easiest, is to refer to the
periodic table and remember where each orbital block falls to logically deduce
this pattern. Another way is to make a table like the one below and use vertical
lines to determine which subshells correspond with each other.
s: 1 orbital, 2 electrons.
p: 3 orbitals, 6 electrons.
d: 5 orbitals, 10 electrons.
f: 7 orbitals, 14 electrons.
Valency of cation
1
1
1
2
2
3
Table of Element Valences