Question

What do you understand by bond pairs and lone pairs of electrons? Illustrate by giving one example of each type.

Answer 1

Bond pairs:

• When a bond is formed between two atoms, each atom will share one electron.
• The electrons that are participating in this bond are known as the bond pairs of electrons.
• Example: Molecule of methane $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$, all the four hydrogen $\left(\mathrm{H}\right)$ atoms form a bond pair with a central carbon $\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ atom.

Lone pairs:

• The pair of electrons present in the valence shells that do not participate in the bond formation between two atoms, that pair of electrons are known as lone pairs.
• Example: In a molecule of water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$, there are two lone pairs of electrons on oxygen $\left(\mathrm{O}\right)$ atom with two bond pairs that are formed between oxygen and hydrogen atoms.