If you knew the number of valence electrons in a nonmental atom, how would you determine the valence of the

element?

To determine valency of an element you look at the number of valence electrons

with elements that have valence electrons from 1-4 they can form the same number of bods

ex: 1 valence electron = 1 bond

3 valence electron = 3 bond

With elements that have valence electrons from 5 and up they can form a number of bonds to add up to 8 electrons (octet)

ex: 5 valence electron = 3 bond (8 - # valence electron)

7 valence electron = 1 bond