valence

valence
va·lence 'vā-lən(t)s n
1 a) the degree of combining power of an element or radical as shown by the number of atomic weights of a monovalent element (as hydrogen) with which the atomic weight of the element or the partial molecular weight of the radical will combine or for which it can be substituted or with which it can be compared
b) a unit of valence <the four \valences of carbon>
2 a) relative capacity to unite, react, or interact (as with antigens or a biological substrate)
b) the degree of attractiveness an individual, activity, or object possesses as a behavioral goal <the relative potency of the \valences of success and failure (Leon Festinger)>

* * *

va·lence (vaґlens) [L. valēre to be strong] 1. a positive number that represents the combining power of an element in a chemical compound, i.e., the number of bonds each atom of that element makes with other atoms. In this most general sense “valence” has been superseded by the concept “oxidation number.” However, “valence” is still used to indicate (a) the number of covalent bonds formed by an atom in a covalent compound or (b) the charge on a monatomic or polyatomic molecule. 2. in immunology, (a) the number of antigen-binding sites possessed by an antibody molecule, two per immunoglobulin monomer, or (b) the number of antigenic determinants possessed by an antigen, usually a large number.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • VALENCE — À toute représentation de la matière qui la suppose grenue, se rattachent deux genres d’intuitions, l’une privilégiant les formes, l’autre les forces. On peut, en effet, imaginer sous le mode de l’intensité les interactions entre les particules… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Valence CF — Valencia Club de Fútbol Généralités Surnom(s) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Valence FC — Valence CF Valencia Club de Fútbol Généralités Surnom(s) …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Valence — may refer to:In molecules, atoms, or subatomic particles* Valence (chemistry) * Valence bond theory in chemistry * Valence shell in chemistry * Valence band in physics * Valence quarks (see quark model) in particle physics In other sciences*… …   Wikipedia

  • Valence — Valence …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Valence — puede referirse a varias localidades de Francia: Valence, comuna francesa y prefectura del departamento de Drôme; llamada también Valence sur Rhône y antiguamente en español Valencia de Francia. Valence, comuna francesa del departamento de… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Valence HB — Valence Handball Généralités …   Wikipédia en Français

  • VALENCE — VALENCE, chief town of the department of Dôme, S.E. France, part of the ancient province of Dauphiné. The establishment of the Jewish community in Valence does not go back earlier than 1323; however, the decision of the council held in the town… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Valence — Va lence, n. [From L. valens, entis, p. pr. of valere to have power, to be strong. See {Valiant}.] (Chem.) The degree of combining power of an atom (or radical) as shown by the number of atoms of hydrogen (or of other monads, as chlorine, sodium …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • valence — n. pl. valencies [vā′ləns] n. [LL valentia, worth, capacity < L, vigor < valens, prp. of valere, to be strong: see VALUE] Chem. 1. the capacity of an element or radical to combine with another to form molecules, as measured by the number of …   English World dictionary

  • Valence —   [va lãs], Stadt in Südfrankreich, Verwaltungssitz des Départements Drôme, an der mittleren Rhône unterhalb der Isèremündung, 63 400 Einwohner; Bischofssitz; Kunstmuseum; landwirtschaftliches Handelszentrum in einem Obstbaugebiet; Maschinen und… …   Universal-Lexikon

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”