Question

Is it possible to find the valency of zinc without knowing the atomic number? If so, how?

Answer 1

Yes it can be find by it mixing with other elements and finding its oxidation number

Answer 2

We can find the valency of zinc even if the atomic number is not known.

This can be done from its compound.

For eg

ZnCL2
In this compound we know that the valency of chlorine is 1 .
So following the Criss cross method we get the valency of zinc as 2

Zn. Cl
x. 1

----------------->. ZnCl2=ZnClx


therefore. x=2