Question

What is difference between valence and oxidation number of an atom

Answer 1

Valency is the maximum no. of electrons which an atom can lose or gain while oxidation no. is the actual no. of electrons which the elementlose or gain to form a molecule. 2.Valency is the property of an isolatedatom while oxidation state iscalculated for an atom is present in amolecule i.e, in a bonded state

Answer 2

Valency is the combining capacity of an element whereas O.N. is the charge on an atom when combined with other atoms.Valency is only a number and does not have +ve or -ve sign whereas ON is a charge and have +ve or -ve sign.Valency can’t be zero whereas ON can be zero. e.g. C in CH2Cl2.Valency is always a whole numberwhereas ON may not be a whole number. e.g. Fe in Fe3O4 (8/3).Valency of an element is fixed e.g. C = 4 always whereas O.N. may be different e.g. C in CH4 (-4) ; in C2H6 (-3) ; in CH3Cl (-2) ; in CCl4 (+4).