Below is the Lewis structure of the hydrogen peroxide H2O2 molecule.
Count the number of bonding pairs and the number of lone pairs around the right oxygen atom.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To analyze the Lewis structure of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and determine the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs around the right oxygen atom, let’s go step by step.
Step 1: Draw the Lewis Structure of H₂O₂
Hydrogen peroxide consists of two oxygen (O) atoms and two hydrogen (H) atoms. The structure follows these rules:
- Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons (since oxygen belongs to Group 16 in the periodic table).
- Hydrogen (H) has 1 valence electron (since it belongs to Group 1).
- The total number of valence electrons in H₂O₂:
- 2 oxygen atoms: 6 × 2 = 12 electrons
- 2 hydrogen atoms: 1 × 2 = 2 electrons
- Total = 14 valence electrons
The Lewis structure for H₂O₂ is:
H—O—O—HEach oxygen forms:
- A single bond with one hydrogen
- A single bond with the other oxygen
- Two lone pairs (non-bonding pairs) of electrons
Step 2: Count the Bonding Pairs and Lone Pairs on the Right Oxygen Atom
Looking at the right oxygen atom in the structure:
- Bonding pairs:
- 1 bond with hydrogen
- 1 bond with the left oxygen
- Each bond consists of 1 bonding pair (shared electron pair)
- Total = 2 bonding pairs
- Lone pairs:
- Oxygen needs 8 electrons to complete its octet.
- It already has 4 electrons in bonds (2 bonds × 2 electrons).
- The remaining 4 electrons form 2 lone pairs.
Thus, for the right oxygen atom:
- Bonding pairs = 2
- Lone pairs = 2
Conclusion
The right oxygen atom in H₂O₂ has:
- 2 bonding pairs
- 2 lone pairs
Now, I’ll generate an image of the Lewis structure for better visualization.
The generated image visually represents the Lewis structure of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), showing the bonding pairs and lone pairs around each oxygen atom. This should help you better understand the electron distribution in the molecule. Let me know if you need further clarification!