Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

A lone pair of electrons is a pair of valence electrons in an atom that are not shared with another atom in a chemical bond, also known as a non-bonding pair. These electrons reside in the outermost electron shell, occupy space, and significantly influence a molecule's shape, polarity, and reactivity, often depicted as dots in Lewis structures. 

To determine the number of lone pairs, we analyze the Lewis structure of each molecule: 

• CH\(_4\)(Methane): Carbon forms four single bonds with hydrogen atoms. There are zero lone pairs in the molecule.
• NH\(_3\)(Ammonia): Nitrogen forms three single bonds with hydrogen atoms and has one lone pair of electrons.
• H\(_2\)O(Water): Oxygen forms two single bonds with hydrogen atoms and has two lone pairs of electrons.
• CO\(_2\)(Carbon Dioxide): Carbon forms two double bonds with oxygen atoms. Each oxygen atom has two lone pairs, totaling four lone pairs of electrons in the molecule.    :. The molecule with the highest number of lone pairs of electrons is CO\(_2\) - Option D

There is an explanation video available below.

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