valensi

Valensi is a term used in Indonesian-language chemistry to denote valence, the combining capacity of an atom, molecule, or ion. It corresponds to the English concept of valence or valency and is widely used in Indonesian textbooks and scientific writing.

In chemical terms, valensi describes how many bonds an atom tends to form or how many electrons it can share, lose, or gain to achieve a stable electronic configuration. For main-group elements, valensi generally aligns with the element’s typical bonding pattern: hydrogen and halogens usually have valensi 1, oxygen 2, nitrogen 3, and carbon 4. Transition metals may exhibit multiple valensi due to varying oxidation states and coordination bonds, leading to context-dependent valence values.

Valensi is related to, but not identical with, oxidation state. The oxidation state is a bookkeeping number for electron transfer in a specific compound, while valensi emphasizes the general bonding capacity. In educational contexts, valensi helps explain chemical reactivity and compound formation, including covalent and ionic bonding. The term is primarily used in Indonesian-language sources, while the English term valence or valency is used in international literature.

See also: Valence, Valency, Valence electron, Oxidation state.