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valencia

valence (chemistry); valency

noun bah-LEN-syah Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Conditions

Origin: Latin valentia (strength, capacity)

Usage Note

Valencia in chemistry refers to the combining capacity of an element — the number of bonds it can form. It is a homograph with the city Valencia in Spain and Venezuela, so context is essential. In modern chemistry, valencia is closely related to but distinct from número de oxidación (oxidation number). The plural is valencias.

Examples

"El carbono tiene una valencia de cuatro."

Natural Translation

Carbon has a valence of four.

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