Chemical Equivalent

The quotient obtained by dividing the atomic weight, q. v., of an element by its valency, q. v. Thus the atomic weight of oxygen is 16, its valency is 2. its chemical equivalent is 8. It is the weight of the element corresponding to a unit weight of hydrogen, either as replacing it, or combining with it. In electro-chemical calculations the chemical equivalent is often conveniently used to avoid the nece ity of dividing by the valency when atomic weights are used. The latter is really the better practice. The atomic weights in the old system of chemical nomenclature were chemical equivalents. 117  STANDARD ELECTRICAL DICTIONARY.