Question

How to know atomicity of non metals

Answer 1

Answer:

Atomicity is defined as the total number of atoms that constitute a molecule. For example, each molecule of oxygen (O2) is composed of two oxygen atoms. So atomicity of oxygen is 2.[1]In older contexts, the term atomicity is sometimes used in the same sense as valency.

On the basis of atomicity, molecules can be classified as :

Monoatomic-composed of 1 atom e.g. He, Ne, Ar (all noble gases are monoatomic)

Diatomic-composed of 2 atoms e.g. H2 , N2 , O2

Triatomic-composed of 3 atoms e.g. O3

Polyatomic-composed of 3 or more atoms e.g. P4 , S8

All metals and some other elements, such as carbon, do not have a simple structure but consist of a very large and indefinite number of atoms bonded together. Their atomicity cannot be determined and is usually considered as 1.

Atomicity may vary in different allotropes of the same element.