COMMON VALENCIES

Ions formed by common elements (Table 3.2, page 77)

Charge +1 One type of ion only +2 +3 1 2 +1 and 1 More than one type of ion +1 +2 +3 +4
a

Group 1a (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+), Ag+ Group 2a (Be2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+), Zn2+ Al3+ Group 7a (F, Cl, Br, I) Group 6a (O2, S2) H+ and H Cu+ Cu2+, Fe2+, Pb2+, Sn2+ Fe3+ Pb4+, Sn4+

of the Periodic Table.

Some common polyatomic ions and their charges (Table 3.5, page 79)
Name of the ion ammonium hydroxide nitrate Formula NH4+ OH NO3 Name of the ion sulfate carbonate phosphate Formula SO42 CO32 PO43

Valencies of common elements in covalent compounds (Table 3.6, page 80)

1 2 Fixed valencies 4 H, F Oa Cb, Si Variable valencies 1 2 3 4 5 6
a b c d

Cl, S

Br,

Ic

Nd, P S Nd, P S

except in H2O2 and a few other compounds where it is 1. except in carbon monoxide where it is 2. only in some compounds with O or with H and O do these three elements ever have valencies greater than 1. in compounds with O, N can display valencies of 1, 2 and 4 as well.