why do lone pair electons repulse slightly more than other pairs of electrons?

Favorite Answer

Bond pairs are "shared" between two nuclei, and the effect is the same as if the electrons were were closer to a single nucleus. They have less energy, are less excited and occupy less "space" (it's more that the probability that they will occupy the smaller space is greater, but to simplify they just occupy less space). Lone pairs are not shared and have more energy, so they occupy a greater space (again, probability) and are more repulsive....Show more