Main Entry: Abegg's rule

Pronunciation: \ˈä-ˌbegz-, -ˌbeks-\

Function: noun

: a rule in chemistry: for a given chemical element (as sulfur) the sum of the absolute value of its negative valence of maximum absolute value (as −2 for sulfur in H₂S) and its positive valence of maximum value (as +6 for sulfur in H₂SO₄) is often equal to 8

Abegg, Richard Wilhelm Heinrich (1869–1910), Danish chemist. Abegg's major contribution to science was his work on chemical valence. His hypothesis that eight electrons in the outer shell of an atom gives the most stable configuration has been shown to be true of the second principal shell. With chemist Guido Bodländer he proposed a theory of valence based on electrical affinities. Abegg also investigated the freezing points of dilute solutions.