Electrons travel in pairs. True or false?
My workbook states, "Electrons like to travel in pairs so it's easy to see why covalent bonds form. It seems when an electron is unpaired it is "lonely" and can easily search for a friend. Of course, this is not a very scientific explanation, but if you think about it, then the actual explanation will seem easier."
Whenever I look online for this answer, it says that it is false, but from my book it seems true.
HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPP MEEEEEEE
Yeah, when electron is unpaired in an atom it is "free radical". Because free radical is highly unstable, so they tend to be paired.. And the unstability is due to the partial completion of the shells..
sooo is it true or false
If your workbooks says that, burn it. Really, electrons "like" to ... That sounds pretty jr high.
Now, the true and false: "Electrons travel in pairs" The answer is not true nor false. the answer is ridiculous. They don't TRAVEL in pairs, but rather, they get shared in pairs in molecular compounds. In ionic compounds, electrons travel by themselves.
A better question is... Why do girls travel in pairs?
So they can talk and not feel lonely. Plus so they can talk about the guys they see and like and think are hot. That is a better answer.
so should I put true or false? @bobpursley
false. They do not travel in pairs.
The electrons I know actually repel each other. They are attracted mainly to the other, positive, sign.
I understand that this can be confusing, especially when different sources provide conflicting information. Let me explain the concept of electron pairing and clarify the answer for you.
In the context of atomic orbitals and electron configuration, electrons do not always travel in pairs. According to the Pauli Exclusion Principle, which is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics, each electron in an atom must have a unique set of quantum numbers, including its spin, which can be either "up" or "down." This means that within a given atomic orbital, no two electrons can have the same set of quantum numbers.
However, when atoms bond together to form molecules, electrons can participate in covalent bonding and form pairs. In a covalent bond, two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a more stable configuration. These shared electron pairs are often depicted as lines or dashes between the atoms in molecular structures.
So, to answer your question directly, electrons themselves do not always travel in pairs. Instead, electron pairing occurs when atoms combine to form covalent bonds. Therefore, the statement "electrons travel in pairs" is false.
It's important to consult reliable and scientific sources when seeking accurate information. In this case, the information you found in your workbook is not entirely accurate from a scientific standpoint. Online sources that explain electron configuration or chemistry concepts such as the Pauli Exclusion Principle would provide a more precise answer.
Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with!