Question

State why the valency of the metal potassium is + 1 and of the non metal chlorine is -1

Answer 1

Answer:

The Element Potassium stands as the 19th element in the periodic table having a total of 19 electrons in it. So, as we know, the first shell needs 2, the second valence shell needs 8 and so on electrons to attain stability. Therefore, it keeps 18 electrons with itself for stability but still has 1 left. So, it donates that electron and attains positive valency of +1.

The Element Chlorine stands as the 17th element in the periodic table having a total of 17 electrons in it. So, its first shell gets stability, second also but third does not as there is still an electron left. So, it receives that only electron from any other metal and attains negative valency of -1.

Hope this helps.