Molecules with lone pairs

[Melody Haratian 2J]

Hi guys!
Why do lone pairs of electrons on molecules occupy more space than bonded electrons?

[Hannah Biju 1E]

Lone pairs are more repulsive than bonded atoms because they are closer to the central atom while bonded atoms are further away. So lone pairs are regions of high electron density that are not spread out.

[605291562]

Hi! Lone pairs are more repulsive than bonded atoms because they are held closer to the nucleus meaning they are not "stretched" out as far and their repulsion is more concentrated.

[Simrah_Ahmed1J]

Lone pairs are more repulsive than bonds because their charge density is spread out more, whereas electrons in a bonding pair are specifically held in a region right between the two bonded atoms. Because the electrons in the lone pair are able have their charge density more spread out, they repel other electrons more strongly which causes them to "need more space" in molecule shapes.

[Namratha Gujje]

Lone pairs are more repulsive than bonded electrons, and therefore they take more space than bonded electrons.

[Armen_Isayan_2L]

Hello! Lone pairs of electorns on molecules occupy more space than bonded electrons since they have significant repulsion strength they are attracted by the single nucleus, hence illustrating that through a short distance they are spread out from the nuclues which they are attracted to.