Chemistry
Explain the term 'variable valency'. Copper having electronic configuration 2, 8, 18, 1 exhibits variable valency. Give a reason for the same & name the compound CuCl & CuCl2.
Valency
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Answer
Variable valency refers to the capacity of certain elements to have multiple valencies or combining abilities. These elements can lose electrons beyond their valence shell, including the penultimate shell. This characteristic allows them to display variable valency.
The outermost shell of copper has 1 electron & the penultimate shell [last but one] has 18 electrons. The penultimate shell has not attained stability & one or more electrons sometimes jumps to the outermost shell. The valency electron thus increases & Cu has new configuration: Cu = 29 [2, 8, 17, 2]. Therefore copper exhibits: Cu1+ & Cu2+ valency.
The compound CuCl is Copper [I] Chloride or Cuprous Chloride & CuCl2 Copper [II] Chloride or Cupric Chloride.
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