How many lone pairs of electrons are present on the central atom in a molecule of water, H₂O?
A1
B2CORRECT
C3
D4
GCEChemistryChemical Bonding2019
AI
Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
Oxygen has 6 valence electrons. In H₂O, two electrons are used to form two covalent bonds with the two hydrogen atoms, leaving 4 electrons (2 lone pairs) on the oxygen atom. These lone pairs cause the bent shape of the water molecule.
Want this in Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa? Sign up free →
Practice more Chemistry questions
GCE Chemistry has thousands more questions like this — with Worked answers on every one.