Lewis structures help visualise the valence electrons in a molecular structure, whether they form bonds between atoms or not. Valence electrons not involved in bonding are called:

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

In Lewis structures, we account for valence electrons to see how atoms bond or arrange themselves. 
Option a: shielded pairs. This term is not standard in chemistry for valence electrons; it would mislead students into thinking there is a specific concept called shielded pairs distinct from bonding electrons. 
Option b: energy pairs. This label does not correspond to any recognized category of electrons in Lewis structures; it combines ideas of energy that are not used to describe bonding or lone electrons. 
Option c: degenerate pairs. Degeneracy is a term used in atomic orbital theory to describe orbitals having the same energy, not to describe pairs of electrons in a Lewis structure; thus this choice misapplies a physics concept to chemistry bonding terminology. 
Option d: lone pairs. This is the correct and conventional term for valence electrons that are not involved in bonding; they remain localized on an atom and are often shown as non-bonding electron pairs on the atom in the Lewis structure. 
Overall, the distractors use terms that don’t match the standard vocabulary of Lewis structures, while lone pairs accurately identify the non-bonding valence electrons.

CHM1051 MUM S2 2025 CHM1051 Practice Exam 2

Lewis structures help visualise the valence electrons in a molecular structure, whether they form bonds between atoms or not. Valence electrons not involved in bonding are called:

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Which of the following Lewis structures are incorrect? There may be more than one.

In the most plausible Lewis structure for SOF4, there are

Draw the most stable Lewis structure for H2CS and complete the following statements. I: The total number of nonbonding pairs of electrons on the sulfur atom is [ Select ] 0 3 1 2 . II: The bond between the carbon and sulfur atoms is a [ Select ] triple bond double bond single bond . 07A

Based on formal charges, which of the three Lewis structures shown for CH2ON– is the dominant Lewis structure? 10A

What is the dominant Lewis structure for N2O?

Choose the best Lewis structure that describes the bonding in the SeO32— ion.

Draw the best Lewis structure for the SNF molecule. How many single bonds, double bonds, triple bonds, and lone-pair of electrons are found around the central atom?

Identify the correct Lewis structure of H3O+. Ensure that all charges and lone pairs are shown.

More Practical Tools for International Students

Exam Browser Assistant

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler