The Electronic Theory of Valency.

Electronic Theory of Valency:

G.N. Lewis explained valency, in terms of interaction between extra nuclear electrons of the combining atoms.

It was suggested that during the formation of molecule, the combining atones tend to attain a stable electronic configurations similar to that of inert gases. The inert gases have s²p⁶ configuration in their outermost shell (expect He, 1s² ).

According to the electronic theory of valency, when atoms combine to form molecules, the electrons in the outermost shells of the atoms tend to acquire inert gas structure (1s² or s²p⁶), which has maximum stability and minimum energy.

Also read | Phosphorus Cycle.

The atoms after bond formation contain eight electrons in ‘their outermost shells. The interaction of extra nuclear electrons leads to the formation of the following types of bonds:

• Electrovalent or ionic bond
• Covalent bond
• Coordinate bond