Question

The combining capacity of one element with another is known as :
A) Atomic number
B) Atomic mass
C) Valency
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint Firstly we should be clear what exactly is the capacity in any atom of one element with any other element. Now we know that combining capacity or the affinity of an atom of any given element is determined by the most number of hydrogen atoms that it can combine with is called valency.

Complete step by step answer:
Firstly we should be aware that the question is regarding the combining capacity of any atom of any element with another element.
We can say that the combining capacity or the affinity of an atom of any given element is determined by the most number of hydrogen atoms that it can combine with. For the example we get that:

1. We can say that in methane, carbon has a valence of $4$.
2. In ammonia, nitrogen has a valence of $3$.
3. In water, oxygen has a valence of $2$.
4. In hydrogen chloride, chlorine has a valence of $1$.
   Valency is the measure of the combining capacity of atoms or molecules. Therefore, we know that it is the capacity of an atom of a single element to react and combine with particular numbers of atoms of another element.
   Therefore, option (B) is correct.

Note: In $1789$ , William Higgins published views on what he called combinations of "ultimate" particles, which foreshadowed the concept of valency bonds. If, for example, according to Higgins, the force between the ultimate particle of oxygen and the ultimate particle of nitrogen were $6$ , then the strength of the force would be divided accordingly, and likewise for the other combinations of ultimate particles.