paired electron
nounUK /peəd ɪˈlɛktrɒn/
US /pɛrd ɪˈlɛktrɑn/
A paired electron is one of two electrons that spin together in the same orbit around an atom.
In a covalent bond, each atom shares a paired electron with the other.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An electron whose spin is opposite to that of another electron in the same orbital, satisfying the Pauli exclusion principle.
The two electrons in the helium 1s orbital form a paired electron set with opposite spins.
3. An electron that is not unpaired, meaning it does not contribute to the net magnetic moment of an atom or molecule.
Because it is a paired electron, it does not make the molecule paramagnetic.
4. In chemistry, an electron shared between two atoms as part of a lone pair or bonding pair.
The nitrogen atom in ammonia has one lone paired electron pair.