Question

Find the number of bonded and non bonded electrons in water molecule.

• A. $2,4$
• B. $4,6$
• C. $4,4$
• D. $6,4$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $4,4$

Electrons are which by shared by two atoms to form a covalent bond are bonding electrons. Non bonding electrons are electrons that do not take part in bonding.

In the case of $H_{2}O$, Oxygen, the central atom, has a total of 6 valence electrons or outer shell electrons. This means that it will need another two electrons to satisfy the octet rule.

Since, there are two Hydrogen attached to a single Oxygen we can say that $H_{2}O$ has four bonded electrons. Oxygen has six valence electron then you take two electrons to be shared with two Hydrogen so four electrons that do not participate in the bonding. Therefore, it has four non bonded electrons.