noun
- the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom in forming an ionic bond, equal to the magnitude of the ionic charge
Usage: chemistry; also called ionic valence
Examples
- Sodium has an electrovalence of +1 because it loses one electron to form Na⁺.
- The electrovalence of chlorine is −1 when it gains an electron to become Cl⁻.
- In ionic compounds, the electrovalence of each ion determines how many atoms of the opposite charge are needed.
- Calcium has an electrovalence of +2, allowing it to bond with two chloride ions.
- Understanding electrovalence helps predict the formulas of ionic compounds.