Question

A lone pair of electrons is defined as the pair of electrons which are ___________.

• A. shared by the participating atoms
• B. lost by one of the participating atoms
• C. gained by one of the participating atoms
• D. not shared by any of the participating atoms

Answer 1

The correct option is D not shared by any of the participating atoms

A pair of electrons which is not shared by any of the participating atoms is called a lone pair of electrons. Lone pairs are found in the outermost electron shell of atoms.

For example, ammonia molecule has three bond pairs shared between one nitrogen and three hydrogen atoms and one lone pair on the nitrogen atom.