valency

A noun referring to the combining power of an element or radical, especially as measured by the number of hydrogen atoms it can displace or combine with; also used in biology to describe the capacity to interact with antigens or a biological substrate.

• 🇫🇷Valence, capacité d'un atome, d'un élément ou d'un radical à se combiner, mesurée notamment par le nombre d'atomes d'hydrogène qu'il peut remplacer ou auquel il peut s'unir ; également employé en biologie pour désigner la capacité à interagir avec des antigènes ou un substrat biologique.

1. Chemical bonding capacity C1 formal scientific

   The ability of an atom or element to form chemical bonds, measured by the number of hydrogen atoms it can combine with.

   • Carbon has a valency of four, allowing it to form stable organic compounds.
   • The valency of oxygen is two, as seen in water molecules.
   • Understanding valency is essential for predicting molecular structures.

   🇫🇷valence (chimique)

   Synonymes: valence

2. Combining power in biology C2 formal scientific

   The relative capacity of a substance, such as an antigen, to interact or react with a biological substrate.

   • The valency of an antibody determines how many antigens it can bind.
   • Researchers studied the valency of the protein complex.
   • High valency in antigens can trigger stronger immune responses.

   🇫🇷valence (en biologie)

   Synonymes: valence

3. Atomic combining power C1 formal scientific

   A property of atoms or radicals indicating their combining power, expressed in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms they can bond with.

   • The valency of nitrogen is three in ammonia.
   • Chlorine has a valency of one, forming compounds like HCl.
   • Valency helps classify elements into groups in the periodic table.

   🇫🇷Valence (chimie)

   Synonymes: valence

• valencies plural form
• valencies' possessive plural form
• valency's possessive singular form