valence

¹

[ vey-luhns ]

noun

1. Also va·len·cy [] . Chemistry.
   1. the quality that determines the number of atoms or groups with which any single atom or group will unite chemically.
   2. the relative combining capacity of an atom or group compared with that of the standard hydrogen atom. The chloride ion, Cl–, with a valence of one, has the capacity to unite with one atom of hydrogen or its equivalent, as in HCl or NaCl.
2. Immunology. the number of determinants per molecule of antigen.
3. the capacity of one person or thing to react with or affect another in some special way, as by attraction or the facilitation of a function or activity.

Valence

²

[ va-lahns ]

noun

1. a city in and the capital of Drôme, in SE France.

valence

¹

/ ˈveɪləns /

noun

1. another name (esp US and Canadian) for valency
2. the phenomenon of forming chemical bonds

Valence

²

/ valɑ̃s /

noun

1. a town in SE France, on the River Rhône. Pop: 64 260 (1999)

valence

/ vā′ləns /

1. A whole number that represents the ability of an atom or a group of atoms to combine with other atoms or groups of atoms. The valence is determined by the number of electrons that an atom can lose, add, or share. An atom's valence is positive if its own electrons are used in forming the bond, or negative if another atom's electrons are used. For example, a carbon atom can share four of its electrons with other atoms and therefore has a valence of +4. A sodium atom can receive an electron from another atom and therefore has a valence of −1. (In this book the distinction between positive and negative valences is ignored unless it is relevant.) The valence of an atom generally indicates how many chemical bonds it is capable of forming with other atoms.
2. Also called valence number oxidation state

valence

1. A number characterizing an atom , equal to the number of valence electrons .

Word History and Origins

Origin of valence¹

First recorded in 1865–70; from Latin valentia “strength, worth,” equivalent to present participle valent- (stem of valēns ) “to be strong” + -ia noun suffix; -ence

Example Sentences

That language also has multiple valences and meanings.

From Salon

Audiences from all backgrounds found valence to a story that I found to be more about assimilation than antisemitism.

From Los Angeles Times

Study three was designed to look for a causal effect of valence weighting bias in completing or delaying a task.

From Science Daily

Some of these defects, including the NV center, can host what are known as electronic spins, which originate from the valence electrons around the site of the defect.

From Science Daily

In momentum space, free electrons are found in the local minima and maxima of the energy landscape, namely at points where the conduction and valence bands meet.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• reactiveness
• reactivity