Question

below is the lewis structure of the methane (ch₄) molecule.
h
h:c:h
h
count the number of bonding pairs and the number of lone pairs around the top hydrogen atom.
bonding pairs:
lone pairs:

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze bonding pairs

A bonding pair is a pair of electrons shared between two atoms. In the Lewis structure of \(CH_4\), the top hydrogen atom (\(H\)) is bonded to the carbon atom (\(C\)). There is 1 pair of electrons shared between \(H\) and \(C\), so the number of bonding pairs for the top \(H\) is 1.

Step2: Analyze lone pairs

A lone pair is a pair of electrons that is not shared in a bond. Hydrogen has only 1 electron in its valence shell. When it forms a bond (as in \(CH_4\)), that single electron is used in the bonding pair. So, there are 0 lone pairs around the hydrogen atom.

Answer:

bonding pairs: 1
lone pairs: 0