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Grade 12Physical Chemistry

How do i calculate the number of bond pairs and lone pairs in CH4 (Methane) and NH3 (Ammonia). Explain it please...

Profile image of Geoffrey Richards
15 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of vikas askiitian expert
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer15 Years ago

in CH4 , valence electrons of carbon are 4 , it forms 4 bonds by sharing 1 electron with each hydrogen...

now all four electrons are utilised in sharing so no electron is left ...

lone pair(pair of non bonding electron) = 0

 

in NH3 , valence electrons of N are 5  , 3 electrons are shared with 3 hydrogen so total electrons

remaining with N are 2 ...

lone pair = 1

 

total number of bonds = bond paires

for NH3 , bond pairs = 3

for CH4 , bond pairs = 4