Question

In a molecule of methane, carbon (having four valence electrons) binds to four hydrogen atoms. How many lone pairs of electrons will be represented in the Lewis structure of methane?

Answer 1

None. To bind with an hydrogem atom, the carbon needs to ''share'' one of it's valence electron's with the hydrogen's valence electron. Therefore, forming 4 bounds means the carbon atom will share it's 4 valence electrons and there will be no lone electrons.