valence

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In chemistry, the measure of an element's ability to combine with other elements, expressed as the number of atoms of hydrogen (or any other standard univalent element) capable of uniting with (or replacing) its atoms. The number of electrons in the outermost shell of the atom dictates the combining ability of an element.

The elements are described as uni-, di-, tri-, and tetravalent when they unite with one, two, three, and four univalent atoms respectively. Some elements have variable valence: for example, nitrogen and phosphorus have a valence of both three and five. The valency of oxygen is two: hence the formula for water, H₂O (hydrogen being univalent).

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