Why does carbonate have a valence of two?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Nov 12, 2016

The valency of carbonate is two because it can combine with two hydrogen atoms.

Explanation:

Valency is the number of univalent atoms (e.g., "H" or "Cl" atoms) that can combine with an atom or an ion.

The structure of carbonate is

upload.wikimedia.org

Each "O" atom has a negative charge, so it can combine with an "H"^"+" ion to form carbonic acid.

www.chem.purdue.edu

Since carbonate can combine with two "H" atoms, its valency is two.

Related questions
See all questions in Valence Electrons
Impact of this question
10880 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License