Why do lone pairs occupy the most space?  [ENDORSED]

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Mario Reyes 1C
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Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:04 am

Why do lone pairs occupy the most space?

Postby Mario Reyes 1C » Fri May 25, 2018 12:56 pm

Lone pairs have the greatest repulsion strength because they occupy the most volume, but how do they occupy more volume than a bonding pair?
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804991762_4A
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Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:04 am

Re: Why do lone pairs occupy the most space?

Postby 804991762_4A » Fri May 25, 2018 1:31 pm

Lone pair electrons occupy more space than bonding electron pairs because lone pairs are more excited than bonding electrons, therefore they repel each other in which they end up taking up more space.
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Nandhini_2K
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Re: Why do lone pairs occupy the most space?

Postby Nandhini_2K » Sat May 26, 2018 1:19 am

The lone pair is more excited than bonding electron pairs.
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Chem_Mod
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Re: Why do lone pairs occupy the most space?  [ENDORSED]

Postby Chem_Mod » Sat May 26, 2018 7:42 am

As I mentioned in class lone pairs occupy a larger volume (more diffuse) because they are electrostatically attracted by the positively charged nucleus of only one atom.

Unlike bonding electrons that are more tightly held as they are located between the positively charged nucleus of two atoms.

Enjoy your holiday weekend.
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