Select the statement that BEST differentiates between bonding and nonbonding electrons.
A) There are always more bonding electrons than lone pairs in a molecule.
B) Nonbonding electrons are less chemically important than bonding electrons.
C) Nonbonding electrons do not count toward an atom's octet of electrons.
D) Bonding electrons are shared and nonbonding electrons are not shared.
E) The more nonbonding electrons that an atom has, the more unstable the atom is.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bonding electrons are indeed shared between atoms in a molecule, forming chemical bonds, while nonbonding electrons (or lone pairs) are located on a single atom and do not contribute to bonding between atoms. This distinction is fundamental to understanding molecular structure and reactivity.

Select the Statement That BEST Differentiates Between Bonding and Nonbonding