Question

12.

Which of the following is the name given to the pairs of valence electrons that do not participate in bonding in diatomic oxygen molecules?

Answer 1

Answer: The pair of valence electrons that do not participate in the bonding are lone pairs.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are 2 types of pair of electrons that are studied in the bonding. They are:

• Bonding pairs: These pair of electrons participate in the bond formation. They exist as bonds in a molecule. They are also known as bond pairs.
• Non-bonding pairs: These pair of electrons do not participate in the bond formation. They exist as lone pairs in a molecule.

Oxygen is the 8th element of the periodic table having electronic configuration of
`1s^22s^22p^4`

Number of valence electrons = (2 + 4) = 6

Oxygen needs 2 electrons to complete its octet. When another oxygen combines, they share 2 electrons each forming a double bond.

The Lewis dot structure of oxygen molecule is given below.

Hence, the pair of valence electrons that do not participate in the bonding are lone pairs.

Answer 2

Nonbonding pairs of electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Both oxygen atoms in the diatomic molecule have two nonbonding pairs. This results in the oxygen molecule having a planar geometric shape. This is because nonbonding pairs repel each other are significant in determining the shape of a molecule.