PENTAVALENT Meaning and
Definition
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Pentavalent is an adjective that refers to a chemical compound or element that has a valence of five, meaning it can form five bonds with other atoms or groups of atoms. In chemistry, the valence represents the combining capacity of an element, indicating the number of electrons it can gain, lose, or share in forming chemical compounds.
The term pentavalent is commonly used in the context of transition metals, such as vanadium, niobium, or phosphorus, to indicate their ability to form compounds with five other atoms or groups. These elements possess an outer electron configuration that allows them to participate in five chemical bonds, typically resulting in stable compounds with diverse properties.
Pentavalent compounds often exhibit high reactivity due to their ability to readily donate or accept electrons. They can be found in various chemical reactions and are of significance in fields such as coordination chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and pharmaceutical research.
Furthermore, in the field of medicine, pentavalent vaccines refer to immunizations that provide protection against five specific diseases. These vaccines typically target pathogens such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The use of pentavalent vaccines helps to simplify immunization programs, reducing the number of injections needed and improving overall vaccination coverage.
In summary, pentavalent describes a chemical compound or element with a valence of five, enabling it to form bonds with five other atoms or groups. It is a term utilized in both chemistry and medicine to denote the valence or the composition of specific compounds or vaccines.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PENTAVALENT
- oentavalent
- lentavalent
- -entavalent
- 0entavalent
- pwntavalent
- psntavalent
- pdntavalent
- prntavalent
- p4ntavalent
- p3ntavalent
- pebtavalent
- pemtavalent
- pejtavalent
- pehtavalent
- penravalent
- penfavalent
- pengavalent
- penyavalent
- pen6avalent
Etymology of PENTAVALENT
The word "pentavalent" has its etymology rooted in the combination of two components: "penta-" and "-valent".
1. "Penta-": The prefix "penta-" is derived from the Greek word "pente" meaning "five". It is commonly used to indicate a quantity of five or designate a fivefold nature.
2. "-Valent": The suffix "-valent" originates from the Latin word "valentia", meaning "power" or "capacity". It is often used in chemistry to describe the combining capacity or valence of an element, indicating the number of chemical bonds it can form.
By combining these two components, "pentavalent" is formed, signifying a chemical compound or element with a valence of five.
Similar spelling word for PENTAVALENT
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