Question

Explain the difference between oxidation state and valency of an element.

Answer 1

	Oxidation state		Valency
(1)	In an atom or ion of a substance, the number of effective charge present on an element is called oxidation state of an element.	(1)	The valency of an element is a measure of its power with other atoms.
(2)	The value of oxidation state may be positive, negative or zero.	(2)	Valency is always +ve. Inert gases have valency due to complete octet zero.
(3)	In covalent compounds, oxidation state of an element is variable	(3)	In covalent compounds, the valency of an element is generally constant.