Valenz

Valenz is a term used in German-language contexts to denote valence, the bonding capacity of atoms, or the number of bonds an atom typically forms. In chemistry, Valenz describes the combining power of an element, often discussed in relation to valence electrons and oxidation states. In physics and materials science, related uses appear in expressions derived from the same root, reflecting the concept’s broad influence in science.

In linguistics, Valenz (valence) refers to the set of arguments that a predicate requires and the roles they play. The Valenztheorie or valence theory analyzes how verbs or other predicates connect to subjects, objects, and other complements, influencing grammatical structure and word order across languages.

As a surname, Valenz occurs in various cultures and may be found in genealogical records and contemporary name distributions across regions with Latin or Romance-language influence. The term also appears in cross-linguistic contexts as a cognate to the English "valence" and the French "valence," though its precise usage differs by field.