Question

In a water molecule, two hydrogen atoms bind to one oxygen atom. How many lone pairs of electrons will be shown around each hydrogen atom in the Lewis structure of water?

Answer 1

There are no lone pair of electrons shown around the hydrogen atoms, rather there are 2 lone election pairs present around the central atom in this Lewis structure and that is Oxygen. Hydrogen only has bonding electrons, and it requires 2 electrons per hydrogen to achieve stability and have a full valence electron shell.

Answer 2

Zero lone pairs of electrons, because the water molecule is a bent shape, meaning that the atom in the center has the lone pairs of electrons which is Oxygen, not Hydrogen.