Question

what is the covalency of an element

Answer 1

hi

• The number of bonds an atom can form within a molecule is known as its covalency. eg: Oxygen Covalency is 3 in O3
• The term Covalency is only for smaller elements which can form covalent because the larger elements show variable valency , so for them valency term is replaced by oxidation state or number.
• Covalency or valency is used only with period 1 &2 elements of p- block but after that elements can expand its Octet due to d- orbitals.

Answer 2

number of electrons are shared by an atom during covalent bonding is called covalency of that atom .

example :-
HF during HF bonding H share its 1 valence electron with F so H covalency is 1
similarly F share 1 electron with H so it's covalency is also 1