EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Sulfur shows valencies of two, four, and six due to the presence of the empty d-orbital. It has a valency of as it only requires two more electrons to complete its octet.

Detailed explanation-2: -The sulphur atom has 6 electrons in the outermost shell, and its valency could be 6. But it is easier for sulphur to gain two electrons instead of losing six electrons. Hence, its valency is determined by subtracting six electrons from the octet and this gives a valency of two for sulphur.

Detailed explanation-3: -Thus Sulphur requires two more electrons in order to complete its octet, hence its valency is 2.

Detailed explanation-4: -This is because their valence shell has enough orbitals to accommodate more electrons. If we talk about sulphur, it has vacant d-orbitals to accommodate electrons. That is the reason why in sulphur dioxide it shows +4 valency and in sulphur trioxide it shows +6 valency.

Detailed explanation-5: -Sulphur, for example, contains empty d-orbitals to receive electrons. That is why sulphur dioxide has a +4 valency, whereas sulphur trioxide has a +6 valency.