Question

What is variable valency? Give two examples of elements having variable valencies. Write
down their respective lower and higher valencies.

Answer 1

Answer:

They exhibit variable valency. For example, copper, tin, iron and mercury exhibit variable valency. Copper combines with oxygen to form cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and cupric oxide (CuO). Valency of oxygen being two, combining capacity of copper in the first case is one and that in the second case is two.

Explanation:

Answer 2

ʜᴏʟᴀ ᴍᴀᴛᴇ !

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⭐ᴀɴsᴡᴇʀ⭐

Certain elements combine with other atoms, donating, accepting or sharing electrons in different proportions depending on the nature of the reaction. For example, iron combines with oxygen to form ferrous oxide as well as ferric oxide. This is termed variable valency.