ELECTRON PAIR Meaning and
Definition
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An electron pair refers to a pair of electrons that are located in close proximity to each other within an atom or a molecule. These electrons are primarily involved in the formation of chemical bonds and play a crucial role in determining the reactivity and stability of chemical species.
In an atom, an electron pair typically consists of two electrons occupying the same atomic orbital. This pair of electrons is often depicted as a line or a dot with a vertical line connecting them. These electron pairs are vital in the formation of covalent bonds between atoms. When atoms come close to each other, the electron pairs from different atoms can be shared, resulting in the formation of strong covalent bonds. This sharing of electron pairs enables the atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration and attain a lower energy state.
In a molecule, electron pairs are classified into two types: bonding electron pairs and non-bonding electron pairs (also known as lone pairs). Bonding electron pairs are involved in the formation of chemical bonds, whereas lone pairs are not involved in bonding and are localized around a specific atom. Both types of electron pairs influence the geometry of molecules, as well as their overall chemical behavior.
Overall, electron pairs are fundamental units that govern the interactions between atoms and molecules, dictating their chemical properties and behavior.
Common Misspellings for ELECTRON PAIR
- wlectron pair
- slectron pair
- dlectron pair
- rlectron pair
- 4lectron pair
- 3lectron pair
- ekectron pair
- epectron pair
- eoectron pair
- elwctron pair
- elsctron pair
- eldctron pair
- elrctron pair
- el4ctron pair
- el3ctron pair
- elextron pair
- elevtron pair
- eleftron pair
- eledtron pair
- elecrron pair
Etymology of ELECTRON PAIR
The etymology of the word "electron pair" can be broken down as follows:
1. Electron: The term "electron" was coined by Irish physicist George Johnstone Stoney in 1891. He derived it from the Greek word "ēlektron", which means "amber". In ancient times, the Greeks discovered that when amber is rubbed with certain materials, it produces static electricity. Stoney used this concept to name the fundamental particle carrying electric charge as an "electron".
2. Pair: The term "pair" comes from Middle English and Old French, derived from the Latin word "paria", meaning "a couple" or "two of a kind".
When combined, "electron pair" refers to two electrons that are sharing the same energy level in an atom or are involved in a covalent bond between atoms.
