Trivalent (valency) refers to the ability of an atom to form three chemical bonds with other atoms. This property is often seen in elements like carbon and nitrogen, which can share or transfer electrons to achieve stability. Atoms with a trivalent valency typically have three electrons in their outer shell that can participate in bonding. In compounds, trivalent atoms can create various structures, influencing the properties of materials. For example, in ammonia (NH₃), the nitrogen atom forms three bonds with hydrogen atoms, demonstrating its trivalent nature. Understanding trivalency is essential in chemistry for predicting how substances interact and combine.