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How can we calculate the atomicity of an element?

     The number of atoms constituting a molecule is known as its atomicity.
On the basis of atoms present in that particular element we can find out the atomicity.

Atomicity = Valency

Valency = The no. of atoms in the outermost shell of an atom.

 For eg. Consider Sodium.

 Electronic Configuration = 2,8,1

 So ,

 K shell contains = 2 electrons

 L shell contains = 8 electrons

 M shell contains = 1 electron

 M is the outermost shell and it contains 1 electrons.So atomicity or valency of Sodium is 1, similarly atomicity of oxygen is 2 and for phosphorus is 4.