<P> In chemistry , a lone pair refers to a pair of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom and is sometimes called a non-bonding pair . Lone pairs are found in the outermost electron shell of atoms . They can be identified by using a Lewis structure . Electron pairs are therefore considered lone pairs if two electrons are paired but are not used in chemical bonding . Thus , the number of lone pair electrons plus the number of bonding electrons equals the total number of valence electrons around an atom . </P>
<P> In chemistry , a lone pair refers to a pair of valence electrons that are not shared with another atom and is sometimes called a non-bonding pair . Lone pairs are found in the outermost electron shell of atoms . They can be identified by using a Lewis structure . Electron pairs are therefore considered lone pairs if two electrons are paired but are not used in chemical bonding . Thus , the number of lone pair electrons plus the number of bonding electrons equals the total number of valence electrons around an atom . </P>
when do atoms in a molecule have lone pairs
when do atoms in a molecule have lone pairs
if two electrons are paired but are not used in chemical bonding
if two electrons are paired but are not used in chemical bonding