Abegg's rule states the sum of the absolute values of the maximum positive and negative valence of an atom is often equal to eight . Abegg’s rule is sometimes referred to as "Abegg’s law of valence and countervalence". for a given chemical element (as sulfur) Abegg’s rule states that the sum of the absolute value of its negative valence (such as −2 for sulfur in H 2 S ) and its positive valence of maximum value (as +6 for sulfur in H 2 SO 4 ) is often equal to 8. The rule used a historic meaning of valence which resembles the modern concept of oxidation state in which an atom is an electron donor or receiver. Abegg, Richard Wilhelm Heinrich January 9, 1869 – April 3, 1910 Danish chemist, major work on chemical valence Trained as organic chemist (student of August Wilhelm von Hofmann at the University of Berlin); but practiced physical chemistry with Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald in Leipzig, Germany Read More Abegg, R. (1904). "Die Valenz und das periodische Syste...