electron pair
nounUK /ɪˈlɛktrɒn pɛː/
US /ɪˈlɛktrɑːn pɛr/
Two tiny particles called electrons that stay together.
In a water molecule, an electron pair is shared between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A pair of electrons in the same orbital with opposite spins, as described by the Pauli exclusion principle.
The two electrons in a helium atom's 1s orbital form a stable electron pair.
3. A lone pair of electrons that is not shared in a chemical bond.
The nitrogen atom in ammonia has one lone electron pair.
4. A pair of electrons produced together in certain particle interactions, such as pair production.
A high-energy photon near a nucleus can create an electron pair.